Thread: Linen Substitute....why?

I see all the time folks wanting the real deal yet they can't seem to find it and look for substitutes.

Ask any baker and he'll tell you true Flax Linen is easy to source. Go over to Amazon and search for a baker's Couche. Get one made of Linen. They are big and heavy just the thing to make your own authentic linen strop.

As a substitute would rough napped leather work in place of the linen? I don't have the money to buy anything shaving related for a while...

I think some, and I am not implying that I am not part of that some, just have to learn for themselves.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

As a substitute would rough napped leather work in place of the linen? I don't have the money to buy anything shaving related for a while...

It kind of like saying would boar be a good substitute for badger or would a DE be a good substitute for a straight.

There is a reason linen was used back in the day. Other things will work, maybe not as good or have the precise effect but it will work.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I see all the time folks wanting the real deal yet they can't seem to find it and look for substitutes.

Ask any baker and he'll tell you true Flax Linen is easy to source. Go over to Amazon and search for a baker's Couche. Get one made of Linen. They are big and heavy just the thing to make your own authentic linen strop.

Would you just cut it into strips? how would you keep the edges from fraying?

Originally Posted by tintin

Would you just cut it into strips? how would you keep the edges from fraying?

Personally I would try burning it slightly, like a shoelace you cut. That I would first try on a small scrap of material. It could be flammable and dangerous!

scrupleworks has a really nice linen strop ,, so really easy to find that way to , tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

scrupleworks has a really nice linen strop ,, so really easy to find that way to , tc

certainly an option,but as for me i like the do it myself and save some money option. it's cheap enough so maybe i'll just get some and play around with it.

Dry gulch on etsy, westholme, and Neil Miller use linen as well.

Since I have started using a Neil Miller strop my others are collecting dust. Shaves have become very smooth with linen then cordovan.

Linen has noticibliy more abrasive power than cotton or nylon webbing.

I have the Kanayama #3 strop, comes with a suede secondary strop.

I ordered the Kanayama linen component, or replacement linen, and added to the Kanayama #3, very nice addition, cleans the blade superbly for sure, haven't really noticed a difference in shaves yet.