Thread: Canvas or Linen?

I have the TM linen/horsehide and I can't tell how much I am getting out of the linen. The horse is awesome as a finishing strop or a start to finish for my full hollow 6/8 and less. I also use the Illinois 827 and the linen on it is more like a plastic impregnated canvas. It's as stiff as frontier whiskey and it gets discolored as I use it and I can tell a difference in the edge longevity if I use the Illinois linen. I wash it with lather once every couple of months but the leather and horsehide get a hand rub down every day and nothing else except a stiff brushing every year.

I really like the hard linen on my Illinois. You can SEE that it's doing some burnishing (I couldn't with canvas) and I can feel the difference in my shaves since I upped the laps on the linen side.

Not all linens are made of linen, and likewise canvas can be made out of almost anything.

I think folks who have actual linen linens, untreated, may still find differences in the weave. (just a guess)

bokaba,

I have strops of cotton (herringbone weave), cotton (heavy duty, tubular) and of linen, and I prefer the linen.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I have gotten to where I use Neil Millers linen on my full hollows to 1/4 hollows and various canvas or cotton weaves on all heavier blades.

I've noticed everybody's laps differ somewhat. I know it's not set in stone, but what is the accepted amount of laps on linen & leather that is "supposed" to be practiced? I usually do 30 linen, 60 leather.

Twenty-five laps on the linen side then fifty more on the horse's hide.

Originally Posted by leadduck

Twenty-five laps on the linen side then fifty more on the HORSE'S HIDE.

So you are using an actual horse and not a strop?? (Sorry, I couldn't resist)


Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

So you are using an actual horse and not a strop?? (Sorry, I couldn't resist)


Tony

Hehe! Now thats conjured up a few images..! I suppose you've got the horses mane right there for a quick HHT before the shave..!