Thread: Which Strop and where?

TONY has some really nice paddle strops which could cut the cost of keeping your razor sharp for quite some time. I got mine with three pasted sides and a latigo leather side for daily stropping for 55 bucks. The newer ones on his site are bigger now and look even better than before. I have also had numerous questions for Tony about his strops since I started and he is always around on these forums answering my questions and a lot of others

I keep thinking that if one were committed to going about this on the total cheap one would use two belts for stropping. The first would be the military stle woven cotton belt to stand in for the "linen" strop. Then one would wire, string, or otherwise fasten one's leather belt to a convenient non-movable object and finish stropping one's razor.

Otherwise, buy a good strop from Tony. I did and am completely satisfied with his excellent quality and wonderfully prompt service. Ebay may not be a complete rathole down which to pound one's money, but buying a strop there probably will cost very little less than getting one from Tony at: thewellshavedgentleman.com

Good luck, Bruce

since money if your concern, Tony does offer a starter strop (as of now i am unsure what the cost will be) i'd definately recommend that you email him and inquire for a price. his old starter strop was 2.5" inch wide with barebones hardware and no linen. he's moved down to 2" inch width with upgraded harware and linen. the old linen cost something like $22.00 US, so i'd expect the new version to be in the neighbourhood of $30.00 US which is quite inexpensive in terms of quality strops. if you go here:

http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522944.htm

you'll see that even their cheapest strop is $35

i'd shy away from ebay as most strops will likely be nicked/cut/scarred etc....in general they'll have all kinds of imperfections, and as a new straight shaver i'd want to worry more about stroping technique than on how to fix a strop. Tony hand picks the leather he uses so you can be sure you're getting a good tool.

You know, I was thinking (I do this sometimes). I completely understand your cost concerns with shipping and the currency conversion rates. What is the price (incl. shipping) that you could pay without hardship. In other words, what are you hoping to spend and what is the maximum you WILL spend?

If we knew that, we might be able to better help. Of course, I don't want to put you on the spot and make you uncomfortable either.

Another option, which I can't speak for, is Strop

It's the strop from Poland that people have bought with the very excellent Wapienica straight razor. I don't know the conversion or shipping costs to Australia but it might be worth searching SRP for some reviews. As I say, I can't/won't speak for it since I've never used it but given the quality of the razor, it should be decent to get you through until you can afford something like Tony's strops.

Just a couple of thoughts..now back to our regularly scheduled programming

It is questionable if you would save money with a hanging strop from ebay.
You would not regret ordering a strop from Tony, and it is possible that you might have to purchase several ebay strops before finding a good one. Cost may net out the same. You could scrounge the antique shops in your area. You might also consider a paddle or four sided. You can purchase decent paddle strops with one side pasted for around $25.

I think it's pretty clear I need to go through Tony. I'd be an idiot to reject such overwhelming support of a salesman's products.

I'll email Tony and see what he recommends.

Thanks so much, Everyone. This is easily the friendliest, most helpful board I've been on in regards to any subject.

Expect me to bug all of you about stones very soon

Originally Posted by Captain

I think it's pretty clear I need to go through Tony. I'd be an idiot to reject such overwhelming support of a salesman's products.

I'll email Tony and see what he recommends.

Thanks so much, Everyone. This is easily the friendliest, most helpful board I've been on in regards to any subject.

Expect me to bug all of you about stones very soon

Tony will do you fair, for sure. Now stones...I think you'll get way more variety of opinion on those. Good luck with the strop, let us know what you choose.

Originally Posted by Captain

Expect me to bug all of you about stones very soon

PM Howard I believe his website is theperfectedge.com

Hey Cap'n - I've come in here a bit late I guess. I've got no experience of Tony's strops except what the guys here say and I'm sure you couldn't do better.

But, if you want to buy locally, the shaver shop sells 2 kinds of Black Beauty hanging strop - they are what I use and they are very good. There's a guy on the central coast of NSW who'll make you a custom strop at reasonable prices. I've also found a couple of local leather "artists" (don't ask!) who are willing to make a strop or two as well.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

a couple of local leather "artists" (don't ask!)

I don't think we have to ask