Thread: Hello From TN

I have a 3" SRD but prefer my vintage 2.5" strops. I never strop with the blade fully perpendicular. The greatest advantage of a 3" is that you can trim off nicked sections (narrowing the whole strop) if they happen and it's a bad one. Pretty sure Larry of Whipped Dog has a "entry level" strop worth considering.

Now that I've used 5 different strops (4 hanging now, one loaned out) I've learned what my preferences are and if minimalism struck me, I could start over with ONE SRD P4, 3-inches wide (but wait) and D-rings. Then I'd trim 1/4" off both edges of the strop, for a 2.5".

As it is, i'm going to add D-rings to my favorite vintage leathers. And the 3" latigo just hangs there. I found the 827 to be "meh" and pasted it.

Hi, and welcome to SRP.

1. I feel that leaning the X-stroke is important.
2. If by (two handles) you mean the leather and cloth, here again I recommend both the cloth and leather.
3. You don't need to worry about pastes until you master stropping! All pastes will do is cause you more problems! Pastes are Not a Magic Potion that will magically 'fix' what you messed up with improper stropping. They will only multiply the problem!

The same is true with honing! Right now you have your hands full learning the basics!

Enjoy the ride!

Originally Posted by eezee

Just took a look at that Illinois 827 at Classic Shaving. Looks very nice. Thanks for the recommendation!

This was one of my first and it still hangs ready for use.
I have two that I am partial to the Illinois #827 and an SRD English Bridal. I still use the #827 regularly.
A great strop in my opinion.

Originally Posted by eezee

Just took a look at that Illinois 827 at Classic Shaving. Looks very nice. Thanks for the recommendation!

When you purchase it they may to want to sell you 'conditioning' oils. Please Don't! The strop is ready to go! I've handled 3, mine and two that I bought to help newbies out and yours will be ready to go!!

Keep hand rubbing it before use and the oils from your skin will keep it conditioned!

You will find the leather 'ribbed' that's the way it's supposed to be! The linen is also 'different' but works well! Glen (GSSIXGUN) has used one for over 30 years and his only strop for I believe 28 years!

Go Slow and Enjoy the Ride!

+1 for the Illinois 827. It's a great strop and the linen is impregnated with zinc oxide.

Howdy from a fellow Middle Tennessean.

I'd suggest watching Lynn Abram's videos on youtube or get his dvd "The World of Straight Razor Shaving". Great source of info.

There's a TON of great info on SRP. Plenty of helpful people too.


Ethan