Thread: First straight shave, OMG!

Thanks Stu! It's hard to believe such a smooth-feeling piece of leather could have so much bite, but maybe so. While my stropping wasn't spectacular, I really didn't feel it was *so* bad that it would have obliterated the edge completely. Maybe my initial feeling was right.

I am way too broke to buy a proper strop right now. That may be changing in the next couple weeks. But for the time being, my razor is off getting fixed up, and I'm going to have a look around local leather markets.

I really enjoy making things as a rule, so I figured I may see if I can try to do that. If I stick to KISS theory (Keep It Simple, Stupid), maybe I can wind up with a decent strop that has the added benefit of being something I made with my own hands.

The main difficulty in buying one is where I live. When factoring in shipping and the exchange rate, even a Filly would run me $47. But maybe if I get lucky I can find some leather that's not too expensive. Not sure. I'll have to see.

I'm thinking a very velvet-y smooth suede texture, and fairly thick. Not really sure how to grade leather, honestly. I'm sure the lingo exists though. I'll go do some homework.

The only thing I know is that I'm not putting my razor on that damn belt again!

No probs! :-)

It can be a bit tricky tracking down the bits and bobs you need sometimes..!

If you're going to make a strop, check this article out from the Wiki:

Making a (very) home-made strop - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

I imagine in NZ people are very handy and you should be able to buy some fairly good quality leather far more easily than here in the states (well at least where I live in the heart of well-to-do-middleclass-ultra-liberalism).

There was a thread in the "Strops" forum a wee while back about making a strop from a piece of bridle leather.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...-7-strops.html

NZ being a somewhat horse-loving country, you might have some luck finding the makings of a strop at a saddlery up in Welly. There's a large nationwide chain called Saddlery Warehouse that may also be able to help, if the smaller non-chain stores don't have what you need.