Thread: Is this strop ok?

Is this strop ok for a beginner to use?

http://www.bowmanbeauty.com/store/sh...OD/1-6070/BS-1

Thanks for your help.

~Jason

It's a bit small but it could make a decent traveller. My recommendation for a regular use strop is to go to Tony Miller's site at www.thewellshavedgentleman.com.

That looks like an Illinois #127 strop, which is a pretty good strop. I got mine from Appleton's Barber Supply where it was a few bucks more expensive than Bowman's but I also got a C-Mon Cadillac razor for $52 while I was at it (they've since gone up to $59, but that's still quite a deal).

CapeCodJay, any news on the strop? I am also looking to buy this strop.

It looks like they carry low end but functional shaving gear, they have some dovo razors, and Col Conk, my guess is that this strop would be of the same standard, and would be functional.
At the price listed I don't think it could really hurt to try it, if the leather is too thin, you can always use it like a bench or padle strop.

NO

NO

NO!!!!


Do NOT buy that strop! I bought one, and figured it would be the same as an Illinois strop (for all I know it may be the same as an Illinois strop, as they look exactly the same!). Anyhow, it is less than useless. It beat the heck out of my finely honed edge. Really, it was horrible.

For $5 more, get the Tony Miller Starter/apprentice strop. It is the finest strop you will ever need. Really, very nice.

I implore you once again, do not buy that POS strop, use an old belt if you have to while waiting for your TM starter strop.

Thats good advice from Seraphim. Dont even take a chance when its merely a $5 difference.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

For $5 more, get the Tony Miller Starter/apprentice strop. It is the finest strop you will ever need. Really, very nice.

I'll second that. I've been so happy with my starter strop, it's hard to see how my shaves could be any better with a more expensive one, even from Tony. But that's probably because I have never experienced his finer strops... yet.

Thanks for the prompt replies and advices.

The Apprentice strop would be nice but the shipping cost is prohibitive. I can't understand why it cost $21 to ship a strop to Canada. I would understand a $10-14 shipping charges even though it should cost less. I buy a lot of stuff across the border and never paid that much. It seems that others sellers charge that kind of fees too. Am I missing something (weight, special care, packaging, etc)? I know Tony's strop are the best and I don't doubt it. I am planning to pay the premium for a nice Artisan strop once I learn how to strop with a cheap one...

BTW, the Apprentice doesn't have a linen/canvas side. It is a drawback compared to an Illinois 127 strop?

Okay, why is my shipping so high? I used to use First Class mail International and an Artisan would go to Canada for $13-14, a Starter around $10. To Europe, etc... $19.00 and $14 more or less. In a 5 month period I had well over $400 worth of shipments lost in the postal system. As First Class International cannot be insured all those refunds came right out of my pocket. If you want to factor my profit level in, lets just say I did my first quarter international sales for free
I'm a nice guy yeah, but not THAT generous

So, I could stop International altogether or use insured Priority Mail Shipping to cover my losses when they happen. My strops now ship at actual Priority International rates. When I send a Paypal invoice I use the closest actual rate depending on what you order. If it turns out less when I actually ship I refund.

BTW, did I mention I don't charge International customers the extra 1% to 1 1/2% for International currency exchange rates ??

Anyway, I apologize the postal service charges what it does but I need to do what allows me to not loose money on international sales. An ApprenticeStrop to Canada will likely run $17 or so.

Tony