Horse, cow, buffalo, and etc.
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Horse, cow, buffalo, and etc.
I would take it that you didin't get enough input from this thread of yours:Quote:
Originally Posted by bigman
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ml#post1772587
No worries, that happens. As was suggested in your previous your thread SRD is a great place to purchase a strop and they have many choices including a 'beginners' level strop which won't set you back too much.
The really nice thing about SRD strops is that both the leather and 'cloth' sides can be replaced. So if you cut the hell out of your beginner's leather strop you can choose to either stay with that leather or try a different one and hopefully not cut the hell out of that one.
I've used the English Bridle, the Roo (Kangaroo) and the Premium #1.
I hope this is of some help.
There are many different leathers for razor strops. It really depends on what each person likes. Now you could go broke buying all the different brands and types but for me I like feel of the English bridle strops. I really don't know but I believe it's cow hide. Then again I never ask just ordered it and liked it. I've had several of the older barbers strops one was made of Russian Boar. I really liked it but I ruined it with neats foot oil. I have an older Cmon and have no idea what it's made of . The point to all this typing is it's really a matter of what you like. If you ask 10 different people you could very easily get that many different answers.
I had a spree of strop acquisition once upon at time and I have quite a few. The two sons took their favourites and we all have different strops now. I like a somewhat fast strop with a light draw. One of my favourites is a horse belly strop by DryGulch. I do not like zippy second components.
I thought I might tell what happened to the Russian Boar strop I liked so much. I thought if a little neats foot oil was good then more would be better. I rubbed too much into the strop and it dissolved into nothing. When I saw what I had done I laughed so much at myself for being so wrong. I since learned from a friend to put just a drop or two on the hand and rub my hands together to evenly distribute the oil and then lightly rub the strop. Anyway as cudarunner has stated SRD is where I go the strop I use now and sooner or later I will order a replacement leather for it and start over again.
I find that i like the English Bridle and Buffalo the best. Now different makes might not feel the same, but going with SRD these are my picks. Good luck.
Correction, the EB isnt an SRD strop. Still one of my fav's.
“There can be only one” ——>SHELL (IMO of course)
It's not about the critter it comes from it about the quality of the individual piece of leather. If it's well finished and smooth and free of blemishes it will do it's job.
With the type of leather it's more about what you prefer as to size and amount of draw and the luxury factor.
My favorites are Boar, Roo, and Horsehide.
This all day long; there's a reason most of the great classic strops were made of horse butt shell.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steel
Everyone is enamored with real shell. Let's face it. It is sweet to strop on. Soft and supple. Nice draw!
It's also somewhat rare and expensive.
Then we get to actual effectiveness. Some others are stiffer, coarser, slicker.
As far as effectiveness goes, bridle, pigskin, horsehide, boarhide, even cowhide are every bit as effective in quality hides, IMO.
Rezdog mentions zippy secondarys.
I also think a zippy secondary fabric feels rough, but it is also very effective.
People like what feels good and costs a lot.
But they are not always more effective, JMHO.
I prefer my Shell strop, but enjoy my Buffalo from SRD as well as my Boar hide from Sharpton. I'm not going to knock the Roo strop either. I have one for my Lipshaw, and like it so much I have a custom one ordered.
Different strokes for different folks, and I agree on the zippy secondary's.
But after a while they do break in.
You hit the nail on the head with that short bit of insight (shown in Bold above). I have the SRD English Bridle and the Neil Miller English Bridle and the feel while stropping is as different as Black and White/Night and Day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gasman
Which do I prefer? I don't have a preference, so I use both.
What shell strop do you have?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieseld
I have my Kanayama, Shell Cordovan
Assuming a newer-production. Are they actual shell cordovan?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieseld
I have thought they are cowhide or horsehide, with his special treatment. He has a way!
At least in recent times?
Reedumacate me!
Well, I can say, at aframestokyo it still claims that they are made of horse hide.
And honestly, I personally have never felt a leather that is like this. But the word Cordovan means horse hide.
So it seems I was mistaken in using the word shell before it. As it is most likely hide and not the second layer under it
I've tried many different hides and have to say that horsehide is tops. However, on really hard steel razors, my Illinois 127 with about 25 yrs worth of seasoning on it can't be beat.
My choices are horse shell, roo, bridle. Neil Miller could put together one heck of a strop.
I think the way they process the hide is the key. Nothing else quite like it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieseld
Couldn't agree more my friend
Is the OP still around?
My current strop is SRD red Latigo 3 in with the premium fabric second strop , very nice leather medium draw I would say, I'd like to try a cordovan to compare, that will probably be my next choice!
Stay Sharp
Nothing comes close to the skin on Mastro Livi's loom strop. I have 4 strops from the top makers and always go back to the loom strop.