Thread: Looking for a Strop

Well, I am looking for my first strop. I would love to get some input and some direction on this purchase. Thanks
Johnny

Tony Miller's strops can't be beat. In my humble opinion, the Illinois 827 is also a good buy (shop around it should be available for about $50) if you can't wait for a TM. Kenrup has also made some nice strops. It really all depends on your price point and availability. If it is your first strop and you are worried about nicking it, go for a TM Starter or a less expensive model. Let us know what you choose and how you find it!

Hope this Helps,

-Rob

Johnny, what's your budget, if you don't mind me asking?
There are quite serviceable strops in almost every price range, although the absolute best, most luxurious ones cost a bit more.

I have an Illinois 827, and it has a coarse texture to it. It works, but for all around general use, I find the Illinois 361 to be almost ideal.
I also wouldn't hesitate to contact Tony Miller. I have had one of his strops for some time, now, and in fact, I've also recently purchased one of the small synthetic travel strops he sells (not the new one, I don't think, however) and so far, everything I've had from him is excellent.

I even purchased a NOS hone-strop barber hone from Tilly (redtrader99) and Tony put new leather on the back of it for me, so I can in a pinch touch up and strop my razor when on the road, without worrying too much about room to put everything.

John P.

Originally Posted by JohnP

I've also recently purchased one of the small synthetic travel strops he sells (not the new one, I don't think, however) and so far, everything I've had from him is excellent.

John P.

John,
I only make the one synthetic travel strop, a 2" wide model with integral cut handle and a nylon thong with wooden bead to hang it. It has a single hole with a grommet as well. This is the one that recently went on sale. There is no new one in the works, I just won't be making this one again so reduced prices on everything left.


Tony

If I had to choose again, I would without doubt rebuy the TM Red Latigo + linen side 3" wide. Although I paid about 1.5x the price Tony is selling them (shipping to Europe + customs added tax)
I haven't regretted it for a single moment. Only this time, as a personal preference, I would go for D-rings instead of the handled version.

I'm not to fund of the Dovo strops. Can't comment on other strops out there.


Happy decisions to you

Tony,
My bad, I was under the impression that mine (purchased on sale) was being phased out in order to replace it with a new material(?).
At any rate, I've been using it since the day I got it, and I really enjoy it. I have one of your latigo strops as well, but I find myself using the travel synthetic as much or more than any of my other strops. It is just too easy to take anywhere, slip over the doorknob, and go to town.

That said, I think the best strop one can get depends on his price range. Tony's strops are definitely the Cadillacs of strops, as anyone can attest to. That doesn't mean one cannot get a good strop on a budget, whether through one of Tony's travel strops, or by cautiously shopping for another strop in your price range.
At the top of my range, I have strops by Tony and a Jemicho Russian leather (velvety surface-wonderful strop). Middle range, I have a Dovo "Rindleder" plain leather strop, small but OK, and an Illinois 361 (which is a traditional style barber strop, and perhaps my favorite budget strop in the full sized strop area.
Then I have an Illinois 127 (*227? I don't have it in front of me) it works, but it only provides a small stropping surface.

Oddballs: Illinois 827-has a rough texture on the surface of the strop. Lots of draw, but I don't like it for a finishing strop so much as intermediate.

TM synthetic travel strop. Smaller than the full sized TM strops, but I love this thing. It will be traveling with me on my next trip. It is also quite affordable, although perhaps for an all around strop I would prefer one of the dual leather and linen models.

One thing worth pointing out, with Illinois (or vintage) strops, one is limited to the models they produce, or a WYSIWYG situation with a strop. When you order one from Tony, you can pick and choose what you want your strop to be like, and often (such as in the case of my strop hone he put together for me) if you talk to him he can make you what you want. Combine that with superior materials and workmanship, and you are almost guaranteed to be happy. The hard part, is without the strops in front of you, deciding what exactly it is you want.


Hope this helps some?

John P.

Tony Miller starter/apprentice strop is the first strop you should buy. Without a doubt the nicest, affordable strop you can get. The leather is super-nice (same as his high end models), it just has very simple hardware is why it is so affordable.

I just recieved today a 3" heirloom Tony Miller strop with smooth canvas. Awesome strop! Same great latigo leather as the starter, but with stylish handles and chrome hanging hardware. I also opted for the "pratice strop" (available when you purchase one of the premium strops for an additional $6.50). So, for just under $100 delivered I got an awesome latigo/canvas strop plus a practice strop (slightly rougher cut than the starter/apprentice strop, no grommet, no formed handle).

The Starter/apprentice was like $38 delivered (I forget the exact amount). You do not need anything more than just the starter strop, it is a highly capable piece of leather. Other "bargain" strops are not even in the same league as this strop, really.

However, if you KNOW you're going to jump in with both feet and stick with it, perhaps a premium TM strop with a practice strop would be a good way to go as well.

I had one of the narrow Jemico Russian strops with the padded handles and still like the look of that design. The Illinois 361 was alwys a favortie of mine and basically what my Original was patterned off of.

I have owned quite a few nice vintage pieces as well. Plenty of nice choices out there.

Tony