Thread: Strop Thickness

Okay I'll freely admit I am still a newb, however since I've begun getting further into shaving with a straight I've been looking at the everything from the minimalist standpoint. I will also admit I like to tinker with all sorts of sharp and pointy metal objects and different ways to make them scary sharp.

I began thinking about the thickness of a standard strop. Usually made out of heavier leather anywhere from 6 oz. to 9 oz. leather either latigo or veg tanned. Now even though I have a perfectly good strop that I bought. I can't help but wonder why are they so thick. So being the tinkering person that I am and having some spare leather I decieded to make my own strop. However the leather is from a tooling kip and is only 3-4 oz. thick, very flexible/pliable even without conditioning cream. I cut a strip 2 1/2 inches wide about 18 inches long and simply used saddle soap and used a glass bottle to "break it in". After using my home made strop for about a week I've noticed that I get a better and smoother shave from it. Out of curiousty I decided to try the "factory" strop today and it fealt like I was trying to use a saw bladeto shave with. Lots of tugging and grabbing.

So my question is could the thickness of the strop possibly affect its performance. Will a thinner and more pliable strop enchance its general performance. Or does it perhaps make up for my stroping mistakes.

I have a handful of strops I use and they vary in thickness. Personally I prefer thicker strops than thinner. I find the thicker strops provide a more consistent stable stropping surface. All of our techniques vary slightly so If you're finding that the thinner ones work for you that's cool.

Theoretically I would say if a strop was too thin, there would be a greater chance of rounding the edge. In Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I have the possibility of getting very large Pike and even Sturgeon skin from some of my avid fishing friends. I've thought about trying my hand at tanning some to make an exotic strop or two. The finished leather would unfortunately be very thin and thinner than I'd want so I've scrapped the idea.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

In Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I have the possibility of getting very large Pike and even Sturgeon skin from some of my avid fishing friends. I've thought about trying my hand at tanning some to make an exotic strop or two. The finished leather would unfortunately be very thin and thinner than I'd want so I've scrapped the idea.

Chris L

hmmm maybe if it were layered onto some suitible leather. Contact cement works wonders sometimes

Originally Posted by desertaliloff

hmmm maybe if it were layered onto some suitible leather. Contact cement works wonders sometimes

Good point. Thanks for the advice. I'll have to kick it around some more.

Chris L

I think thickness is mostly personal choice. I use around a 7oz for my Artisans and Originals, 8 to 9oz. for my Apprentice strops as without a cotton/linen backing I felt they needed a bit more stiffness. A few have asked should it not be either thicker or thinner proving everyone has a different idea.

Tony

Originally Posted by desertaliloff

Okay I'll freely admit I am still a newb, however since I've begun getting further into shaving with a straight I've been looking at the everything from the minimalist standpoint. I will also admit I like to tinker with all sorts of sharp and pointy metal objects and different ways to make them scary sharp.

I began thinking about the thickness of a standard strop. Usually made out of heavier leather anywhere from 6 oz. to 9 oz. leather either latigo or veg tanned. Now even though I have a perfectly good strop that I bought. I can't help but wonder why are they so thick. So being the tinkering person that I am and having some spare leather I decieded to make my own strop. However the leather is from a tooling kip and is only 3-4 oz. thick, very flexible/pliable even without conditioning cream. I cut a strip 2 1/2 inches wide about 18 inches long and simply used saddle soap and used a glass bottle to "break it in". After using my home made strop for about a week I've noticed that I get a better and smoother shave from it. Out of curiousty I decided to try the "factory" strop today and it fealt like I was trying to use a saw bladeto shave with. Lots of tugging and grabbing.

So my question is could the thickness of the strop possibly affect its performance. Will a thinner and more pliable strop enchance its general performance. Or does it perhaps make up for my stroping mistakes.

Number one: You have found that a thinner strop works better for you-go with that!

Number two: I tried making my own strop one time, and purchased a very thick piece of leather (3/16") this did not work AT ALL. The leather had undulations, and would not conform to the blade. Perhaps if the leather were tanned differently so it was more supple it would have been OK, but as it is, it was not OK at all.

I have two Tony Miller strops a Starter and an Artisan. The Starter has thicker leather than the artisan, but I haven't noticed too much performance difference. Well, actually I like the feel from the Artisan slightly better, maybe because it is a bit thinner? I'm not sure, there isn't that big a difference between them as there is with you and your 4oz leather.

I was interested myself in trying kangaroo leather, as it is purported to be much more abrasion resistant than cow leather, but it only comes in 3-4 oz thickness, and you have to buy a whole hide (~$150). Maybe some day I will give that a try.

Until that day, I will continue to enjoy my TMs, and I hope you also continue to enjoy your handmade strop, sounds like it's a winner!

I like a thick strop. I find it makes the strop more stable and is just a better base to strop with. Tony's strops are pretty thick. The thickest I have is a vintage DD model 50 Horse marked extra thick and it is, uncommonly so.