Thread: Strop purchase advice needed

Hey everyone! Well, im finally going to break down and buy a Tony Miller strop this week. But im at an impasse as to which one to buy. Being the kind of person I am, I want to buy the best one I can get. Question is should I go with the red latigo with canvass/linen or is there an advantage in getting his dual latigo/horsehide? Thoughts?

I bought the latigo/horsehide 3" and it is the Rolls Royce of strops IMO. I have a few really fine vintage strops with linen so for me that wasn't an issue. If I hadn't had the alternative linen I probably would have had the same dilemma that you are facing.

Buy one of each, decide which one you like best, sell the rest on B/S/T

I just ordered the latigo/horse. Figured I didn't need the linen since the horse has some texture. But I am new to this so what the hell do I know?

I own the hand finished horsehide linen 3" artisan. If you are only going to have one strop, that would be the one to get IM Humble O. BUT, here is a question for you: do you use the linen component of a strop now? If not, you might go with the latigo, non buffed horse combo or a dual horse (buffed and non buffed) What ever the case, you can add a linen or canvas section later if you need I believe.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by pdx

I just ordered the latigo/horse. Figured I didn't need the linen since the horse has some texture. But I am new to this so what the hell do I know?

I used to have the same opinion back when I was teaching myself computer security! Even someone who is completely inexperienced in whatever the subject has something to offer

Hoglahoo: Such the enabler I like that!

Ok, I think I made my decision (which I made a while ago, just need support from everyone else ) Going with the Latigo/Horsehide, since I don't use linen/canvas now anway, as PDX pointed out (see? Everyone has something to offer!)

Now, the only question is, since Tony lives only about 50 miles away from me, if he'll let me come watch it be made! Hehehhehe....kidding

Going to order tomorrow

I have the red latigo and the horse and mostly use the latigo when I'm working on a new razor because the horse has no draw properties so it makes it more difficult to tell if it needs to go back to the hone or not. I would say buy the horse, its a very nice strop but i would get the linen also. Of course if you want the ultimate in strops you should buy a Cordovan Horse. Tony doesn't make them. Either handamerican or rassurpur has them.

Originally Posted by pdx

I just ordered the latigo/horse. Figured I didn't need the linen since the horse has some texture. But I am new to this so what the hell do I know?

Just quick heads up, the Latigo/Horse combinations use smooth horse, not buffed as one would want two different surface textures in this case. Buffed horse would be too near the draw characteristics of the Latigo, where the smooth would be a fine choice to use after the Latigo side.

Right now I do not have Latigo or Horse Artisans in stock but am working on them. Several of my dealers either have the Latigo or will by early/mid next week....Shaving Shop, Vintage Blades, straight Razor Designs.

Tony

As I said, I don't know what the hell i am talking about; I meant to say I ordered the latigo/horse, because the latigo will I hope give me the texture I need with the horse to finish. Don't think Iwould use the linen/canvas.