Thread: I'am strop shopping , and i need some help.... please

Hey guys, well iam going to buy myself a strop soon but i really don't know wich one to get.There's to many to choose from its giving me a headache, ok should i go with a "2" inch strop "2 1/2", ''3", ? also whats a good buy for the money? i dont want to spend allot and then "oh slice" damaged strop. One strop being sold near me are the Illinois Razor Strop Co or something like that. So what are youre toughts?



thank you


Justin

Justin,

I would definitely recommend getting at least a 2.5" strop and better yet, a 3" strop. It just takes the x stroke variable out until you get better at stropping.

As far as which strop to get, there are many great options for under $40. I never had a problem nicking my strop in the beginning, but some do, and therefore you do not want to ruin an expensive strop.

Since your new at this may I suggest purchasing the least expensive strop you can find? They all work. Start by looking in the SRP Classifieds and see what is available there.

Hope this helps,

+1 to getting a cheap strop. Illinois is one of the cheapest I know of you can get brand new. Try to get at least a 2-1/2" wide.

Here's a link. You can get a "Fily" strop from Ruprazor. It's a good starter strop, and not too expensive, so if you cut it, which you probably will, it's no biggie...It's 2" wide, and it's not a bad idea for you to learn how to do the x stroke or x pattern on a strop...

RupRazor - Strops

i've only just got myself a nice strop after a while of using a cheaper one (im pretty new) and to be honest im very glad that i started with a cheaper one as it now has a couple of little nicks in it.
i would recommend a nice cheap one and then when ur used to it get something nicer which you won't muck up

As a noob, I'm not that experienced or knowledgeable, but I bought one of the big daddy 3" from starshavingsupplies on the theory that when I turn it into leather shoelaces, I won't be out much. It does works great. There are reviews of it posted in the forums.

I have both an Illinois strop and the "Poor Man's Strop Kit" from

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

PMSK is a complete kit (including pasted balsa strop) -- can't beat the price, and the leather strop is perfectly OK. If you're worried about nicking your strop (which I did, many times) it's a good choice. The pasted strop (CrOxide and iron oxide) will keep a razor sharp between honings.

My Illinois 206 includes a leather strop and linen strop. "Bling factor" is much higher than PMSK -- nice fittings, leather handle, etc.

Either one will keep your edge sharp.

Charles

Definately a good suggestion to get a cheaper "starter" strop..it will get nicked. To get a 3" is good because it eliminates having to focus on the x pattern when stropping...although on the other hand a narrower one can be good because it forces you to really focus and take your time to strop correctly. I started out with the narrow and then got a 3" and appreciate it more I think and still find myself doing a slight x stroke. I don't know if this helps but just some food for thought

As a newb myself, I am glad I got myself a cheap "filly" and not something more expensive. I nicked it the secont time I stropped, and well... No big deal.
I'd hate it if it were something that cost a lot.