In need of new strop

Funny story...for a few weeks now I lent 2 of my razors to 2 of my family members who wanted to get into straight razors..they LOVE the razors I lent them!.( I doubt I will be getting them back for awhile)
..I still have my grandfather in laws straight razor to use and had a friend of mine buy my SRD double sided strop for a price I couldnt refuse!...any good n low priced strop's for sale..I'm watching a few of them on ebay as 3" in width preferably....any thoughts on X crossing vs 3" where no X pattern stropping is needed?..I also got back into using my SE handle with plenty of SS blades..so its no biggie if I ever have to send my straight to be honed.

PcDad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pcdad

Funny story...for a few weeks now I lent 2 of my razors to 2 of my family members who wanted to get into straight razors..they LOVE the razors I lent them!.( I doubt I will be getting them back for awhile)
..I still have my grandfather in laws straight razor to use and had a friend of mine buy my SRD double sided strop for a price I couldnt refuse!...any good n low priced strop's for sale..I'm watching a few of them on ebay as 3" in width preferably....any thoughts on X crossing vs 3" where no X pattern stropping is needed?..I also got back into using my SE handle with plenty of SS blades..so its no biggie if I ever have to send my straight to be honed.

PcDad

---

My Illinois 827 Russian leather/linen strop was less than $50.

Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23" W/HDL Russia: Beauty

Well.... normally I would recommend a strop from SRD...

Illinois is a good "cheap" strop brand. Their reputation is solid, and they were a go-to strop before the artisan makers stepped in and took the spotlight. FWIW if the Russian style leather is not to your liking then IIRC the 127 is basically the same strop but with plain leather.

As for the 3" debate, a lot has been said on that topic already. Many guys do an x-pattern regardless of strop width. It just seems that many of the old-timers (as in the guys who have been doing this for years) prefer the skinnier strops.

yea..SRD has great stuff..but my wallet has other ideas ;-)

PcDad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan82

It just seems that many of the old-timers prefer the skinnier strops.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I do an X pattern of sorts on a vintage 2 & 1/2" strop. Habit I guess.

---

My point exactly.....:w

I thought about this:
Amazon.com: Scalpmaster Barber Strop: Health & Personal Care
Again..just a thought!..lol

PcDad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pcdad

Funny story...for a few weeks now I lent 2 of my razors to 2 of my family members who wanted to get into straight razors..they LOVE the razors I lent them!.( I doubt I will be getting them back for awhile)
..I still have my grandfather in laws straight razor to use and had a friend of mine buy my SRD double sided strop for a price I couldnt refuse!...any good n low priced strop's for sale..I'm watching a few of them on ebay as 3" in width preferably....any thoughts on X crossing vs 3" where no X pattern stropping is needed?..I also got back into using my SE handle with plenty of SS blades..so its no biggie if I ever have to send my straight to be honed.

PcDad

---

A 2 1/2 inch strop is a good strop width. Minimum need for an X
and in no time it will feel just right. A good three inch wide strop
is a luxury -- but you are worth it -- right.

If you get lucky on eBay you are home free. I picked up a used "Shell"
strop a couple months back and life is good. I have no need
for six strops but... the four home made Tandy strops taught me a lot
and they will be pasted soon....

My preference is for the 3" strop...It just makes life a whole lot easier for me.

If you can find a quality one on ebay that is inexpensive, fine. If you can't, you can always bite the bullet and purchase one from one of the vendors who advertise here on SRP.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pcdad

I thought about this:
Amazon.com: Scalpmaster Barber Strop: Health & Personal Care
Again..just a thought!..lol

PcDad

---

Please read the amazon reviews on this strop before buying. I think you will reconsider...

You are going backwards. You had good gear,and are now looking at crap.

If I needed a strop to "hold me over" for a time at low outlay... I'd heavily consider the Filly from Rup. I know it lacks a cloth backer, but it is a fine piece for the price and can do 92% of what a high dollar strop can do.

If price were less of an object... I've got a SRD Premium IV (Long) that is super-sweet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OiRogers

I know it lacks a cloth backer, but it is a fine piece for the price and can do 92% of what a high dollar strop can do.

---

I would argue that very strongly. The cloth component of a strop is very much the functional part of the strop.

+1 to all that has been said. Do not buy a random, lesser quality cheap strop simply because it is cheap. You want quality leather that has been tanned by a reputable producer that you can rely upon a reputable strop maker to select within their products.

Second, I agree that the canvas is an important and necessary component within your stropping, especially if you use hones. After a honing, be it a touch up or an entire honing from bevel set upwards, I always go to the canvas first.

Do get a quality strop. SRD have great looking strops, as does Tony Miller who I understand is very busy these days. Over in the UK where I live, Neil Miller does awesome strops whose craftmanship I can attest to as I own a fine strop of his. Neil would ship to the US I am sure.