Thread: Strop Size

I've noticed that many, but not all, straights have a 3" blade. Many strops, however, are in fact smaller (i.e., 2.5"). Does it make a difference whether your strop in smaller than the blade? Is it better to purchase a larger one? If you can't afford a larger one, how does your stropping technique change to accomodate the difference in size?

Keith, I use a 2.5" strop with 3+" blades without any issues. Just use the x-pattern and you'll be fine. However, I wouldn't get a hanger that's any narrower than 2.5.

I bought a 3 inch strop from Tony Miller and love it. I can keep all the blade on the strop at the same time. However, with a 2.5 incher, you can either use the traditional X pattern or angle the razor so that all the blade is on the strop at the same time.

I don't think one is better than the other as much as personal preference or comfort level. For some reason, the X pattern is difficult for me so a wider strop solved the problem.

Oh, www.thewellshavedgentleman.com is Tony's site. You might even PM him or email him and discuss this with him. He can help fit you with something that will be just right for you.

(that was a free plug, too)

I have the 2 1/2 " strop that came with Tony Miller's kit and it works fine with my Dovo --I think the Dovo has about a 3" blade.

Justin

I've been using te X patern on my 2½" Illinois with great success, but am sure I will treat myself to the 3" sometime this year having nicked my strop a few times while learning.

X

I have three 2 1/2 inch wide strops that I've had for years. I bought a Tony Miller 3 inch wide strop so that I wouldn't have to do the X pattern but I still do the X pattern. I just can't help it, but when I can actually force my self to go straight up and down I don't find any improvement and most my straights aren't straight. I believe you guys call them smiling blades, so the best bet is the X pattern anyways!!!

I usually do an X pattern on any strop, just habit I guess. If you actually look at most strops on the market today you will find a lot of top end makers, Dovo, Jemico, Illinois making 1 3/4" and 2" wide strops. Dovo and Jemico both added a 3" - 3 1/4" a few years ago. In the old days, as seen on many vintage eBay strops 2 1/2" seemed the norm and what I tried to offer in my basic stops.

Length too varies a lot. In the old days 24" was a must on those without handles. Many newer strops are 21" or so over the handles leaving 15" or so of stropping surface. Many of the middle eastern imports are on 15" overall with less than 10" of usable surface.

Tony

I have a 3" strop because I didn't like the x pattern.