Thread: Strop width

I am a newbie looking to buy myself a strop...I have already decided on the brand.

However I am very interested in 2'' wide strops as oposed to the 2.5 or 3" especially because they are tipically significantly less expensive.

Is it difficult to strop on a narrow 2" strop or would I be better served to get a wider one.

Thanks for any input.

I prefer and use the 2 1/2 but a lot of guys like a 3". If you use a 2" you will have to use an X pattern when you strop. This is a bit more difficult IMO. Maybe it is desirable but I think it is an advanced stropping technique. Just my 2 cents.

+1 If you are getting a strop for the first time get the wide one, speaking from experience. I have the narrow, 2" model and hate the x pattern. Wider is less prone to error. IMHO.

Should I be concerned that a 3" will be prone to warping or cupping...should i stick with the 2.5 inch then? with the 2.5 i would still need an x pattern wouldnt I ... seeing as that most blades are 2.5 or larger...

My view differs slightly. An X pattern has it's benefits, particularly if the blade has a smile, or warp. An X is not hard to do, & if you learned to do it that way from the start would mean it was a skill that was with you. It's easier to move to a wider strop from a 2", than to do it the other way round. 2" strops were the norm for a couple of hundred years.
If cost is a factor then definitely get the 2", but make sure it's quality. You can always get a wider one at a later date.
Of course, this is merely my opinion.

IMO, if you buy a 3" strop such as one sold by Tony Miller or Straight Razor Designs cupping won't be an issue. I have a half dozen vintage barber strops and they are all 2 1/2 with no cupping issues. The average blade is a bit more then 2 3/4 long in cutting edge so with a 2 1/2 an X pattern is done but not to the extent that a 2" would require. I guess you would learn the motion with whichever you choose and the above is just my personal preference. YMMV.

Strops have historically been narrow. Its only been very recently people have been making the wider strops. Proper stropping with an X pattern is just part of the overall learning process when you use a straight. No different than using a wide hone trying to avoid the X stroke there too. I have wide and narrow strops and honestly use the same stroke with both. It really makes no difference to me and I see no advantage to using wide over narrow.

+1 on TheBigSpendur. Using the 2 in wide strop is just a little different in that it requires the x-pattern, which isn't hard to learn and will benefit you in the long run. Just strop slow until you get the hang of it and it will be second nature in no time.

i use a 2 inch horsehide strop after my latigo and i love that strop, i find that a slight x pattern is all that is needed to cover the entire blade

Thanks guys. I guess before i looked into TM Strops I was gonna get a Dovo and that was 2 inches wide...so i guess a 2'' TM would be be no worse for learning on than that one...

Still unsure might still want the 2.5 ... we will see...haha