Thread: SRD or TM?

I would say that the workmaship level is equivalent.
If you have and like latigo and just want a fancier version of it, I guess the difference would be mostly in the fabric side.
I prefer and have the premium strop. I believe that's horse.

I personally think you wouldn't go wrong with either. I have a 3" latigo from SRD and love it...

I bought an SRD and wish I'd bought a TM.

The leather came with a big kink in it that looked like it got shut in a door. I emailed them about it and they sent me a replacement leather part without question, as it haven't gotten to the address it arrived at yet I can't say whether it is any good or not.

I'm not sure if it was shipped this way, I find that hard to believe, but the box was not damaged enough to cause that kind of problem when it arrived.

As for the nylon webbing it had similar marks and didn't give a flat surface when pulled tight, it even had ridges between along it's length from where the screws held it in place. It was this that inspired me to test out a car safety belt as an alternative and I have to say I am very happy with that, I have replaced the Nylon webbing with an old car seat belt for the linen part of the strop.

I have tried soaking the leather and drying it out, which got the kink out ok, but I can't get the surface right. Several attempts with lather and glass bottle have gotten me a good smooth strop but there are ridges, tiny ones, that you can't feel with your hand but make a small jump/ when stropping, I've sandpapered, relathered and smoothed with a bottle, rubbed daily with my hand, repleced the waxes and oils that came out in the soak by scraping them off the top if the water, once cooled, and gently massaging them back in.

I've tried a lot and sometimes I get a good smooth strop but after 10 or 20 passes there is that jump again, a bit like a piece of dirt is embedded in the surface or teh very edge of the strop has raised up and is scratching somehow.

It's close, after much work, but not close enough. I was worried this might happen which is why I am very thankful that SRD supplied me with a new peice.

I am praying that I really can just hook it up and start stropping, my whole shaving expereince is being held back from failure to get a decent strop surface.

I am sure this is not a normal expereince as everyone else seems to agree that SRD strops are great, but that was my expereince. I only got an SRD because I was in a hurry and TM were not selling at the time.

The leather came with a big kink in it that looked like it got shut in a door. I emailed them about it and they sent me a replacement leather part without question, as it haven't gotten to the address it arrived at yet I can't say whether it is any good or not.

Sometimes this happens, and a good vendor like
SRD will do exactly what they've done: make it
right. I would wait until you've received the
replacement before making any comments about
the strop.

s for the nylon webbing it had similar marks and didn't give a flat surface when pulled tight, it even had ridges between along it's length from where the screws held it in place. It was this that inspired me to test out a car safety belt as an alternative and I have to say I am very happy with that, I have replaced the Nylon webbing with an old car seat belt for the linen part of the strop.

Perhaps you were pulling the strop too taut? I
can imagine that since the webbing is somewhat
flexible that this could happen, but I've not
experienced this with my SRD Premium and my
daily stropping routine.

I have tried soaking the leather and drying it out, which got the kink out ok, but I can't get the surface right. Several attempts with lather and glass bottle have gotten me a good smooth strop but there are ridges, tiny ones, that you can't feel with your hand but make a small jump/ when stropping, I've sandpapered, relathered and smoothed with a bottle, rubbed daily with my hand, repleced the waxes and oils that came out in the soak by scraping them off the top if the water, once cooled, and gently massaging them back in.

I don't think these strops need this kind of
(mis)treatment. I would have saved myself
the trouble and just waited for the replacement.

- Scott

I think at times anyone can send a less than perfect example out, I know I have done it recently as well. It happens and it sounds like they made good on the deal just as I would. I would not base buying or not buying on a fluke occurance and always feel one should settle things with the vendor before bringing it to the public. Judge businesses on their strengths, not their weaknesses, we all have them.

While we are competitors of sorts I think we both bring some interesting options to the table in both various leathers and cloth choices and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I think at times anyone can send a less than perfect example out, I know I have done it recently as well. It happens and it sounds like they made good on the deal just as I would. I would not base buying or not buying on a fluke occurance and always feel one should settle things with the vendor before bringing it to the public. Judge businesses on their strengths, not their weaknesses, we all have them.

While we are competitors of sorts I think we both bring some interesting options to the table in both various leathers and cloth choices and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Tony

Well said Tony....

I have the TM latigo and I really enjoy it. I like the draw it has also the canvas.

Hi folks,

Having reread my last post I can say that I was a littel hasty.

I have limited internet connection right now and time was short, I just typed up my instant thoughts on the matter and posted them.

I see how hard it must be to take soimething like natural leather and make it perfect every time, it is an anrt I have discovered, one that is beyond me.

SO I offer apologes to the guys at SRD, they sent out a replacement ASAP, you can't ask for more than that.

i have both SRD and TM strops.
SRD red latigo and TM horsehide
i have since sold the SRD strop and only use TM

i really liked TM's product and customer service, TM went the extra mile to accommodate my requests on a slight variation on in product and shipment was super quick.

Awesome Tony, thanks

Question about both strops:

Is the non-finished side of the leather suitable for CrOx? Or am I ok only with the cotton/webbed fabric?