Are these strops good ones?

So as I'm on a very tight budget (meaning I have no money at all) I decided I'd check Ebay for strops, but I don't know what I'm looking for in a good one. So would any of these strops I found be a good one to start out on?
- Listed from most expensive to least -
Professional Barber Leather Strop Straight Razor Sharpening Shave Shaving Strap | eBay

Leather Strop, 2" Wide,New, #1 English Bridle, Used on all Edges, Knives, Razors | eBay

German " Straight Edge Razor is Leather + canvas Sharpening Strop B-80-19 | eBay

The last one seems a bit cheap to me, but I thought I'd list it anyways.
Thanks!
Matt-

I couldn't get your links to work, so here they are again, in case that happens for anyone else:

strop 1
strop 2
strop 3

EDIT: Geez, mine don't work, either. Silly eBay. I'll have to figure out why...
EDIT2: Should work now. If regular links don't work because SRP is stripping them because of a policy or something, please let me know.

Never bought a strop off eBay, but of those, I'd go for #2. Can't tell if it's really a great strop or not, but you aren't out much if it isn't, and you're very likely to damage your first strop while you're learning the mechanics.

+1 on the English bridle strop. I haven't used it, but it looks like a good one for the money. And you are going to nick it!

the 'bay is not really a good choice for strops.
the first one you listed... NOOOOO!
the second one.... maybe but 2.5" wide would be better or even their 3"
the third one... NOOOOOOO!

since economy is on your mind... have you looked that the strops at whippeddog?

2" wide strops help you develop a good "x-stroke" but also slightly increase the risk of improper stropping while you are starting out. so you need to be more careful and strop more laps in my opinion.

jim

p.s. i had issues with the links as well

I have always wondered this. Why are new people having such an easy time cutting up their strop? I have almost never done this. Maybe twice since I started. How do you cut up a strop?

A plain leather belt could work well for practice. When you begin to strop there at some videos here by AFDavid(or is it AFIDavid?) about proper stropping technique. Smooth, slow and deliberate movements at first until you get the hang of things and make sure you hold your strop taught!

It's AFDavis..not sure about which letters are capitalized. It's on the main page though.

I own the English Bridle strop from Star Shaving in 2.5 inch. I saw it on ebay but bought it from the website for an additional dollar off. I feel like it's a great strop, but maybe I don't know anything. It's USA made, and gives good feedback compared to shell, which is what I was using prior. No matter where you get it, it'll be cheaper to just buy a good strop, and replace the leather component if you ruin it. Not everybody ruins their leather. Just be careful, and don't try to match Gssixgun's stropping speed anytime in your first few months. That's a sure way to ruin something. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast...eventually.

Thanks for the tips guys! I should hopefully buy one from one of these sites in a day or two :)

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Originally Posted by Nuntits

I have always wondered this. Why are new people having such an easy time cutting up their strop? I have almost never done this. Maybe twice since I started. How do you cut up a strop?

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It happened to me when I flip the razor. I sometimes pull back slightly after the flip instead of going the other way immediately.

Yeah I think I did that once too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by syslight

the 'bay is not really a good choice for strops.

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I beg to differ on 1 point Jim. the 2nd strop you mention is from Star shaving who sells through his web site as well as some ebay sales on occasion.

I have 2 star shaving strops and have previously owned a whipped dog. I would rate the Star Strops well above the one I had from whipped dog.

So ebay is not always a bad choice, just know who your buying from.

Thanks for the input on Star. I've actually been liking my WD but have been wanting to move up to something nicer looking. Was thinking of a TM but I'll hold off and get a Star Big Mama first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dyimages

I beg to differ on 1 point Jim. the 2nd strop you mention is from Star shaving who sells through his web site as well as some ebay sales on occasion.

I have 2 star shaving strops and have previously owned a whipped dog. I would rate the Star Strops well above the one I had from whipped dog.

So ebay is not always a bad choice, just know who your buying from.

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Sorry if you took that to mean i was impugning the quality of character of the star strop or it's makers. the fact is that unless you are careful the 'bay is full of "strop shaped" pieces of leather. the other comment about the star strop was that the wider ones are often easier to use.
and if i had a choice of buying on the bay or at the makers website i would use their website.

sorry for the misunderstanding.

jim

My strop is an Illinois Razor Co. #827. Definitely a good first strop. And you can't argue with the price.
Just my thoughts
kurt

I have two strops from Star Shaving. I think they are a great strop for the money, and Star is an honest outfit. While I have not bought anything from Larry at Whipped Dog, I have heard good things about him. Best, John

Quote:

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Originally Posted by syslight

"the fact is that unless you are careful the 'bay is full of "strop shaped" pieces of leather."

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I don't think some are even leather. LOL

Sorry:HJ