Thread: Strop Widths? Is wide really better than narrow ?

Nope, I always strop my Electrics in a straight line. Up and down on a 3" wide strop, and diagonally across on a narrower one.

From Uniclectica:

ELECTRIC
Used by Friedman & Lauterjung, New York City ca. 1873-1890. Moved to Newark, New Jersey from ca 1890-1910. Moved to Walden, New York ca. 1910-1920

Too cool.. thanks.

I own a TM Latigo 2 1/2 with linen; I didn't order the practising strop and stropped straight ahead with an X pattern. I must say that I nicked it a few times, but nothing deep and always at the beginning or at the end of the stroke - so as long as I don't nick it in the centre, I can decrease the stropping area. Maybe this wouldn't have happen with a 3" as it seems to result from a bad orientation of the leather when stropping.

But more stropping, the better the technique... and the strop will survive with some character and wounds - I don't nick it any more. And - if I am not mistaken - one could order the strop parts separately from Tony and replace only the leather side... or buy a horsehide new strop... or why not a horsehide/latigo and a cotton/linen

Originally Posted by Ockham

And - if I am not mistaken - one could order the strop parts separately from Tony and replace only the leather side... or buy a horsehide new strop... or why not a horsehide/latigo and a cotton/linen

Yep, available as replacements. I do all those combos at time.


Tony

Originally Posted by sicboater

I think I will try and teach myself to strop left handed and use the other edge of my strops too, that may be the way for me to realize the true potential of having a wider strop. Kind of like rotating my tires, no?

Just rambling thoughts as always...

Yikes! I better start on that replacement horsehide piece on Monday


Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Yikes! I better start on that replacement horsehide piece on Monday


Tony

HA! I DO have the practice strop! No worries Tony!

I was wondering if there was a way to increase the draw on the buffed Horsehide without changing the surface texture. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by JMS

I used a 2 1/2 for many years, and when I found this sight I decided to try a new strop, so I bought a Tony Miller 3 inch wide strop! It was a beautiful piece of work, but I quickly reverted back to a 2 1/2 model! It seems an easier size to deal with, it forces an X pattern, which assures good contact all the way across the blade!

+1

I only have a TM 2.5 but I totally agree. The width makes you pay attention to your blade contact and stropping technique. I usually strop with the x-pattern, heel leading and the 2.5 inches seems the perfect size for this.

Previous to my Tony Miller 3" wide strop, I had been using a Dovo 2" wide strop - which, granted, forced me to learn and use the x-pattern strop technique. That said, I prefer the 3" wide model because I believe it supports the blade better and doesn't allow for any rocking side-to-side. My shaves have been greatly improved since the arrival of my new strop, and I couldn't think to go to anything narrower (or wider) from now on. I'm 100% sold on the 3" wide strops.

Mark

Same experience as Mark.

I used a 2" Russian Dovo for years and then I purchased a 3" ,"Old Dog Hand American" strop.

The 3" works better IMHO. It's not just the width, I think the length of at least 24" usable strop also matters.

I'd actually rate the size of the strop as more important than the type of the leather.

I suppose if you have short arms or long arms it must make a difference.

I use an old Red Imp 2 1/2 and a 3" horse/latigo. I start out on the red imp's linen and leather and go to the latigo and then the smooth horse. I suppose I would have been fine with the Tony Miller strop being 2 1/2 but I like the 3" width and the strop is luxurious. Unusual to find a modern product that exceeds the quality of the vintage examples but Tony has done it IMO.