Thread: More a returning member than a new one

Well, it's been a couple of years since I was last here, and you know what? I still can't use a straight razor. Redundancy, debt and unemployment saw me disappear from online shenanigans in an effort to curb spending and focus on other things. Rather than continue learning to use my new (at the time) Dovo razor, I instead opted for cultivating a beard once more. But the time of the beard is now in the past. Now is the time of a cleanly shaven face (with the exception of the goatee as I still get really unnerved when I see my lack of a chin in the mirror).

And so it's back to my original goal. Finding a strop that's good enough to maintain my razor, while not costing so much money that I weep uncontrollably when my inexperienced stropping technique gouges chunks from its surface.

You could look at Whipped Dog or Starshaving, they offer several pretty cheap strops. No experience with those myself, but I've read only positive things about those.

GemStar Customs has a beginner paddle strop for a great price, and its made to be easier for learning.

I have no experience, but Glen gets rave reviews for his honing and restorations, so I would bet this is in line with that quality.

Originally Posted by EdG

GemStar Customs has a beginner paddle strop for a great price, and its made to be easier for learning.

I have no experience, but Glen gets rave reviews for his honing and restorations, so I would bet this is in line with that quality.

At this point in time,he has 5 in stock great deal.

buying a strop from England is a good idea, less postal and duty fees.

Hanging Razor Strops

Originally Posted by bombay

buying a strop from England is a good idea, less postal and duty fees.

Hanging Razor Strops

This seems to be the place I'm likely to buy from. If anyone has any suggestions as to what I'd need they'd be greatly appreciated.

The Executive Shaving Company
strop paste, leather strops, hanging leather strop, graded strop paste UK

Originally Posted by NotMuchOfAChin

This seems to be the place I'm likely to buy from. If anyone has any suggestions as to what I'd need they'd be greatly appreciated.

The Executive Shaving Company

Their Small strops seem to be good enough for the price. You can get the Leather & Canvas one, or save more money and get the Leather (only)one. I would get the leather and canvas one.

I don't use strop pastes and don't see a need for them. You can save money by avoiding them. Or, you can get some if you're curious.

Welcome back .

Thanks for the suggestion. I shall go for that one and hope I don't destroy it.

Originally Posted by henryconchile

Their Small strops seem to be good enough for the price. You can get the Leather & Canvas one, or save more money and get the Leather (only)one. I would get the leather and canvas one.

they're not even 2 inches wide, i would not recommend them to a beginner.

what is your budget? the £20 strop on strop-shop is 17 inches long and will last you a lifetime, if you get that small strop you will only spend more money later on replacing it. if you really want a material side as well there is instructions in the wiki for making one with old jeans