A good strop

[Rusty Shackleford]

Hey guys, just wondering...how much difference does a good strop make. Right now (and for the last year) I'm just using a piece of hanging leather, no linen or anything. I'm thinking of upgrading to either a new stone or a new strop and was just wondering if a strop really makes a huge difference in the shave quality. Just thought I'd ask for some advice.

Thanks,
-Pary

[thebigspendur]

Well, two points here. First, yes a strop makes a big difference in shave quality. One of the few points no one will argue about is that a strop is a necessary part of the razor prep before a shave. Point two; As far as a quality strop goes it depends how you define a quality strop. It doesn't have to be extra thick with some secret tanning process but does have to be a quality piece of leather that is smooth and is capable of dressing the razor's edge. Its similar to a razor, a $25.00 Eboy special can shave just a good as a $1000.00 Maestro. Is the overall quality the same? No it isn't but the shave can be. The same with a strop. A properly manufactured piece of leather can do the same job whether its $30.00 or $80.00. I'm sure Tony will have an opinion on this though.

[JMS]

My first strop which I still use from time to time was the strap from an old horse saddle with a thick canvas strop on the backside.
This was given to me by an old barber in his 80's or 90's and he told me that it was his first strop which was given to him by the barber that he apprenticed under and it was used when he received it!
Point is, yes, you need Quality products But not necessarily "flash"!

Mark Avery

[Tony Miller]

Basically any leather which is smooth and free from bumps (healed scars) and fat wrinkles. The fat wrinkles are not really that bad but they do lessen the surface area in contact at any one time. Other than that any good piece of leather will work, an old belt will do the job but obviously a nicely designed strop makes it more fun.

In all honesty if you have a decent belt now, are think of either a stone or strop as you next purchase and can only afford one now go for the stone and learn how to use it as it gives you a tool you don't already have. A better strop can come later.

I'd rather maximize the variety of tools first, sticking to the basic of course and add better ones as budget permits.

Tony

[Rusty Shackleford]

Thanks for the advice guys. Picking up a good stone is probably the way that I'll go this time around.

-Pary

[poona]

Do you need strop paste? or is it only a fad?

[FiReSTaRT]

You only need pastes for strops used for sharpening. Regular hangers only require hand-rubdowns. I bought a bottle of strop dressing but now the only thing I use it for is for mixing the chromium oxide powder and that's very rare.

[poona]

"Regular hangers only require hand-rubdowns"

LOL

Quote of the week. hahaha

[poona]

Oh and thanks for the speedy response dude.

Im learning a lot from this forum. Cant wait to get my first Razor.