Thread: Strop upgrade

I have been using a Tony Miller "apprentice" strop for a few months now and I'm thinking about moving up. One thing I'd like is the ones with the metal reinforcement at the handle end, like the premium TM strops have. Also, I don't have any linen component so I would like to get one with that as well.
I'm inclined to stick with the Tony Miller ones, as he's our local vendor and I've never heard indication that there's any better to be had (??).

Problem is, now I have the choice of horsehide versus latigo and premium canvas versus linen. So those of you "in the know", is the horsehide and linen worth the extra $$, or is basic going to perform just as well?

What are the various benefits/detriments of each material? I believe a major selling point in horsehide is better water resistance and a denser/tougher surface. Anything else?

Originally Posted by bbshriver

I believe a major selling point in horsehide is better water resistance and a denser/tougher surface. Anything else?

You can't go wrong with a TM strop of any kind!

If you're talking about horsehide with a buffed finish (think micro-suede or "nubuck" finish), then I would say performance wise, errant water drops haven't affected the horsehide strops I've used in the least. The water dries, no harm done.

BUT.........aesthetically, water on a buffed horsehide strop is such a strop's absolute worst enemy. The smallest drop instantly stains the horsehide and even after it dries, it's there for good unless you sand it out (which means you're going to have to re-sand the entire strop). This only degrades the appearance. I have my strops hanging on the wall opposite my shaving sink in my bathroom. I've since started turning my strops to the back side in order to protect against errant drops of water flying through the air when I must get too crazy rinsing my face.

Latigo has not given me this problem. I'm also talking about undyed natural horsehide not treated with any sort of strop dressing. If it was oiled, I could see this is maybe not being an issue.

This didn't answer most of your questions, but I hope it helps.

Chris L

I keep my strop in the cabinet below the sink. I put a screw in eylet in the cabinet and hung the strop from that, so it's not visible except when shaving.. Looking pretty really isn't a concern, but I'd like to get my "lifetime" strop, so just wondering what's best. The apprentice strop has been great for learning, but I'd like the extra support of the metal at both ends, and if there is any benefit to be gained by superior marterials that's always welcome too.

I have em all. A TM Latigo Leather, a TM Horse and a Japan made Cordovan leather and I have the Linen and the canvas. In the end they all do the job equally well. Some might be more pleasurable to use but I wouldn't say one gives a better result than the other.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have em all. A TM Latigo Leather, a TM Horse and a Japan made Cordovan leather and I have the Linen and the canvas. In the end they all do the job equally well. Some might be more pleasurable to use but I wouldn't say one gives a better result than the other.

so in your opinion, which is more pleasurable to use?

Well, since you asked. I like the Cordovan. Its just buttery smooth and gives stropping a mystic experience. I fall back to the TM Latigo when I hone because the horse exhibits no draw which the latigo does in spades.