What is the ultimate Everyday Strop?

Well, I'm looking into buying a new strop, and I'm hoping that If I just buy a really nice one now, I will not have to buy another everyday strop for years to come (I'm a newbie shaver btw). I've been looking at different strops and noticing that there are many different materials to select from. For the leather side, there is Latigo leather, Horsehide leather, Buffalo leather, etc. For the other side, I see wool, webbed fabric, 100% linen, cotton, etc. All of this confuses me, and I was hoping that the more experienced shavers out there could tell me what their ultimate version of an everyday strop would be made of? This is assuming you could only have one strop....

If I could only have one strop, I'd have exactly what I already have. A 2-piece strop with a nice soft cowhide strop and a genuine linen canvas strop.

There's a few things I'd add.

First of all, you might seriously consider getting a cheap junky strop to start with, and get a "keeper" in a few months. A lot of folks trash their first strop.

Second, it's my understanding that the hard wool strops are better for using as a pasted strop than a daily strop, although I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm mistaken.

Third, a HUGE portion of this comes down to personal preference, which doesn't really help you, but it's important that you know there really isn't one single "right" answer to your question.

Last, a good quality strop that is well cared for and used properly won't last years, it will last a lifetime or more.

My 'Everyday stop' is the only one I have, it was $15 off ebay and it's a battered old vintage one - it does the job though and I see no reason to change it.

People do seem to hack up their first strops, so that's worth considering.

I have an assortment of strops, and the SRD Premium is my overall favorite. It has more draw than a Horse strop and less than a Latigo, which IMO makes it just about right. One really good feature is that they (Lynn and Don) also sell replacement leather and cloth components. That's nice because you can try different materials without much expense or if your strop gets damaged you can restore it rather than replace the whole thing.

In terms of longevity I think any of the top brands will easily last for many years. I'll probably never wear out my strops. It's more a question of which one will I enjoy the most while I am using it.

My every day strop is a Tony Miller Latigo/genuine linen strop which does an excellent job. Tony is always very helpful and a member here.

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Originally Posted by Kees

My every day strop is a Tony Miller Latigo/genuine linen strop which does an excellent job. Tony is always very helpful and a member here.

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I have one of those. Excellent strop.

+1 on Tony

If you're new to it then getting a cheaper practice strop is good advice. Here is the stropping tutorial in the SRP Wiki and here is the excerpt from the barber manual stropping/honing in the help files. The manual has been very helpful to me. I especially liked the suggestion to learn to flip the razor before you try actually stropping and the admonition not to bend the wrist. :gl:

I really like my 3" SRD latigo and linen

yep, if your starting out please get a very basic one because there is too great a chance you will nick it or cut it.

In the end any quality strop will do the job. If you are flush with cash and want the best a Cordovan Horse is the cats meow in strops. Rasapur sells a Japanese made Llama Brand Strop. Its pure luxury.

Tony Miller 3in Red Latigo, and the Canvas/wool back.