Thread: Medium Weave Cotton or Genuine Linen

I bought a Fromm 2/12 " strop and have put a few nice in it as I am sure most beginners do. Since the strop was 2 1/2 inches I have been using the x stroke while stropping as it is too short for my blade. This is how I nicer it up.I am now looking at a specific 3" strop as I figure it will be easier for me. It comes with a choice of medium weave cotton or genuine linen included. Any advice on which one I should choose? Also any other recomendations on strops would be appreciated

Either linen or cotton will do. Your choice but I advise lots of practice on a sheet of newspaper. Less costly than leather for making mistakes on.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Either linen or cotton will do. Your choice but I advise lots of practice on a sheet of newspaper. Less costly than leather for making mistakes on.

Thanks for the advice. I have already nicked the Fromm, so I may use a butter knife and practice stropping on that one until I get it down. Out of curiosity though how do you practice on newspaper? Another question, are all strops inevitably going to get nicked? I don't see how its not possible for a strop to be in use for any length of time and not get a few nicks on it. If they get nicked do I need to throw them away or use them for practice only?

IME it is kind of like taking your brand new car to a public parking lot. One day you come out of the store and someone has finally opened their car door and chipped your paint. When I nick a new strop I feel the same mix of anguish and relief.

Relief that now I can just strop and not worry about it anymore. The more proficient you become the less likely you will nick your strop but the possibility of a miscue is always there. I've got a few strops. Some with battle scars and some without. Unless you really cut it badly it should still be usable.

Originally Posted by ccase39

Out of curiosity though how do you practice on newspaper?

I think a pic may explain it. The tear near the clip shows what can happen if you pull too hard.

I'll take a genuine linen over a cotton any time of the day. That's just my personal preference. I have them all and the genuine linen is always my first pick. YMMV.

I agree it's linen. Now if you could find it the correct weave of silk would be the cat's meow.