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Well...I'm ready to start and give it a try. Just introduced myself in "Introductions". Here is what I got as a gift from my Dad for Christmas. The only thing I don't have yet is a strop. Anyone recommend anything in particular? I am eyeing up some vintage Ebay ones. Specifically an Illinois. I know appraisals are not allowed, but is there an amount that should send up red flags? Thanks!
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Don't get a vintage yet. Wait until you are comfortable stropping on a new good onef tirst. Spend the money up front... Because you will end up getting one any way. If you. Don't have the cash, strop on newspaper unitl you do.
I'll second the opinion:
. . . Get a new strop for your first strop, not a vintage strop.
I wouldn't buy a vintage strop that I couldn't touch and feel before purchase. Old leather can degrade, a flat surface can develop waves and ridges -- why risk it?
New Illinois strops are easy to find, and not too expensive (as strops go). The one I have is small, but perfectly good. The "Poor Man's Strop Kit" from WhippedDog.com is very inexpensive, and perfectly OK.
Other possibilities (if you don't want to spend a whole lot of money) are the RupRazor "Filly" and the Star Shaving "Big Daddy" and "Big Momma" strops. All those have gotten good write-ups here.
I finally _did_ get a vintage strop, at an antique store. A beautiful C-Mon "Blackie". And it has a bump that I'm still working out after 6 months.
. Charles
PS -- you are almost certain to put nicks in your first strop. Maybe your second one, too!
Just look through our vendors and you will have plenty of choices for a quality strop to fit your budget.
