Thread: To many choices, not enough knowledge?

Hey,
So I've just purchased my first razor last night, now I need a strop. Any advise on good websites to buy from? I found one site, www.ClassicShaving.com -
Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories
Do you think this is a good one? And which strop would you suggest a beginner buy? I have no clue. Also, do I need a paste for it when buying a new one? Which should I use if so?
Thanks!
Matt -

If you're on a budget, the tony miller poor man strop or the RupRazor Filly strop are two examples that I can cite on top of my head, among other sellers/products, I'm sure.

You cannot go wrong with products/sellers long-time present on this forum, such as SRD or ClassicShaving.

No you don't need a paste to start with. I started with, some people don't... No big deal.

My understanding is that CrOx paste is fairly standard.

I started with the Filly strop from RupRazor, which comes with CrOx paste on one side.


cheers

I have a 3" wide paddle strop, it does a fantastic job of learning stopping and makes it difficult to accidentally damage your razor as you learn.

You need an unpasted strop for everyday use. A pasted strop is for occasional touch-ups or the final stage of honing. I'd go with something pretty cheap for the first strop -- you will nick it at some time while you're getting the routine down, and a $20 nick is less painful than an $80 nick.

I second the paddle suggestion. You're much less likely to roll your edge or nick the strop surface. Sharpeningsupplies.com has some relatively inexpensive ones compared to the TI paddles everyone else carries. I have two of the TI paddles and they're nice, but pretty pricey for a hunk of leather glued to a plank.

+1 on Ecl advice. No need for pasted strops just yet. I can tell you from exprience that I totally butchered my first strop so dont lash out and buy a really fancy one. The SRD modular strops are good cos you can replace the surface but I still prefer a hanging strop. I just think they are easier to use thats all.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Matt96

Hey,
So I've just purchased my first razor last night, now I need a strop. Any advise on good websites to buy from? I found one site, www.ClassicShaving.com -
Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories
Do you think this is a good one? And which strop would you suggest a beginner buy? I have no clue. Also, do I need a paste for it when buying a new one? Which should I use if so?
Thanks!
Matt -

Find an inexpensive strop just not a cheep one.

The SRD strops are made in a way that makes replacing the leather and canvas possible.
The replacement material has a nice price too.

In general folk here will start with a budget strop and then later upgrade.
The old budget strop then gets a new job after dusting with submicron paste
or spray of one kind or another.

Based on some testing by Glenn and validated by my own experience you can
spray any strop with 0.25 micron or 0.5 micron abrasive and not have a problem.
For me, this will tend to give a smoother shave for a longer time.

One budget and close to a Tandy Leather shop... hand pick a nice smooth 2 1/2 to 3"
strap of leather and make your own. You can strop dry as it is or add a light bit of
strop dressing of neatsfoot oil (not baseball glove oil).

I'll throw my weight behind the SRP modular strop. Yes, a hanging one is easier to use, but I think the paddle one forces a more careful approach for a beginner. It's also more versatile and easier to travel with.

That's my opinion, anyway.

Best wishes to you

Go to your local saddle/tack shop and have them cut you a piece of 3.5 x 28" piece of harness leather or any smooth leather they may have (chaps). They'll know. It'll cost you $10. It's a perfectly useable strop and you'll be tearing up a cheapy until you learn and then buy a good one. I still use mine exclusively and love it.

Would a old deer hide work the same way? My family has lots of tanned hides laying around, since my dads been hunting since he was a kid. So would that work if I just cut it into strips?

No. You need thicker leather and with a smooth surface. Be a big time spender; $10 to get a decent piece of leather. Be sure that the surface is smooth, they'll know at the tack shop.