Thread: 2.5" vs 3" strop?

I am sure this is a well worn topic but what the heck!!! I own both sizes, I have two 3" strops one is an English Bridal and the other is black latigo, both took some time to soften but now they are in great shape. My other stop is some "made in China special" I think it says "Franks shaving... Maybe it just the mechanics of my hand, or using an X pattern I but I get a far nicer edge on the 2.5" I doubt highly it has anything to do with top quality Chinese leather... So what are your thoughts??

Different leather, different outcome, perhaps try stropping on the 3" strops using an x pattern?

I have several 3 inch strops, but I strongly prefer 2.5" strops. My honing skills are sufficient that an x-stroke is going to happen regardless of the width of the strop, and come on--it ain't that hard to do an x-stroke on a strop.

Finally, pardon the heresy, but in my experience I still think 3" strops are much more likely to cup.

Considering your luck with the Gold Dollar razor you also posted about I would say you should stay with Chinese imports.

Bob

When I first started I bought a 3 inch.I soon realized that I was much better using smaller width strops. The x- stroke always came natural to me.
Now its 2-1/2 inch. for my Lipshaw bench strops, and 2 inch for my hanging strop. When I strop very heavy smiling blades I'll even go to my 1-3/4 inch Russian.

I learned on a 2" strop, and my 2-1/2" strop feels generous. When I try a 3" at a meet-up or somewhere, it's like stropping on a leather bedspread! It's all what you know, I guess.

They all work and which you use is your choice. There may be more probability of nicking a strop, the wider it is(my experience) due to having to place the blade exactly on the strop. I had used 2.5 inch strops for a few years when i was gifted a three inch strop. If the razor shoulder is sharp or the razor has a sharp change in direction at the the bevel to shoulder join, these may cause problems on any strop. Also, if the razor has a sharp end of the spine from honing/ hone wear, that can damage a strop also.
YMMV
~Richard

I started with a 3" but as I progressed I am really comfortable with the 2.5" as Ron said the x stroke takes care of being a narrow strop. Tc

Waste of breath now, OP was banned yesterday.

Bob

Originally Posted by Lockwood124

I am sure this is a well worn topic but what the heck!!! I own both sizes, I have two 3" strops one is an English Bridal and the other is black latigo, both took some time to soften but now they are in great shape. My other stop is some "made in China special" I think it says "Franks shaving... Maybe it just the mechanics of my hand, or using an X pattern I but I get a far nicer edge on the 2.5" I doubt highly it has anything to do with top quality Chinese leather... So what are your thoughts??

I don't really feel like I know what I'm talking about, but I can relate to that. I have been using a 2.5" strop the last few months, actually a couple of vintage ones I got off of ebay, and what the 2.5" forces you to do is use the X pattern.

For 4 years I preached the merits of the 3" strop and still do for beginners, because you can go back and forth and avoid the X pattern. The reason is that the blade length is usually 3". I guess I'm a purist at heart and when I finally learned how to go back and forth without turning my wrist, I was determined to learn the X pattern. I had to give up keeping my wrist straight to do that but I seem to be getting better results with the X and the smaller strop. And, I'm hacking the strops up a whole lot less. Maybe part of it is that these are old strops and I'm less apprehensive about making a mistake and let 'er rip.