Thread: Any experience with a synthetic strop?

I was looking around google for a new strop and came upon a synthetic strop at a few woodworking sites. Here is one example:

Small Synthetic Strop

Anyone have any experience with or thoughts on a synthetic strop? Thanks a lot!

Unfortunately I have not. I have been hoping to get one of Tony Miller's vegan strops (leather alternative) for a while now, but just don't have the cash . Tony offers a synthetic strop here: The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company : Home

There is also a review of two of his vegan strops here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...an-strops.html

Good luck,
Zac

I've got one of his vegan strops that I use as a travel strop, since it's pretty indestructible. It works well with good draw.

Well, finally.
Something I can report on.
Go with one of Tony Miller's synthetic strops if you desire one. I had one of his synthetic travel strops with me this last trip in Iraq (just got back last week) and it performed wonderfully. I especially liked that the thing is nearly indestructible...water doesn't bother it, etc etc etc. I got quite a few funny looks, but it was easy to simply loop over the faucet, and strop (there were no suitable door knobs there) and then when done it doesn't mind being put into a shave kit or rolled in the towel you used for the walk back to where you sleep.
The thing works great.
Sorry I can't say I know how well the one you linked to would work, that looks like something woodworkers would use with a chisel, but I may be wrong.
Good luck.

John P.

Originally Posted by JohnP

Well, finally.
Something I can report on.
Go with one of Tony Miller's synthetic strops if you desire one. I had one of his synthetic travel strops with me this last trip in Iraq (just got back last week) and it performed wonderfully. I especially liked that the thing is nearly indestructible...water doesn't bother it, etc etc etc. I got quite a few funny looks, but it was easy to simply loop over the faucet, and strop (there were no suitable door knobs there) and then when done it doesn't mind being put into a shave kit or rolled in the towel you used for the walk back to where you sleep.
The thing works great.
Sorry I can't say I know how well the one you linked to would work, that looks like something woodworkers would use with a chisel, but I may be wrong.
Good luck.

John P.

I've thought about getting one of Tony Miller's synthetic strops. What you just wrote persuaded me a little more!

Thanks for all the help guys! Looks like a Tony Miller it is...

The 3" Artisan synthetic strop is my daily strop. I can't thanks Tony enough for this wonderful strop.

I sent Tony a message asking whether the vegan strop is on par with the leather and he said that leather is still the preferred material and he wouldn't use the vegan unless he wanted a really strong strop or something for travelling.

However I am sure that if the vegan strop was in any way an inferior product then Tony wouldn't sell it and after the experiences reported above I'd say that it would do the job you need of it.

I'm personally waiting for his shop to start running again to get an Artisan to replace the Herold I killed by trying to remove goose grease with too much soap and forgetting that I'd left it in a warm place to dry out.

Now it's not even good enough as a pasted strop and has cracked where stretched despite treatment with neatsfoot, frequent palm rubbing, bottle treatment.

Gingahippy,
That is pretty much what I had said......if you did not specifically want a non-leather strop because you were a vegan I think leather is still superior. The other synthetic over leather reasons would be a super durable strop for travel. Otherwise leather is still king for strops or any other product really, shoes, belts, clothes, etc.....

Natural and organic materials just seem nicer to use and/or wear.....unless you need specific, synthetic only traits...super durability, water or abraision resistance, etc....

Tony