Thread: brand new strop from KenRup, what do I do?

My Filly strop came in the mail today, and I am not sure if it is ready to use or not. What should I do with it?

I like mine hanging from a door knob. That is the height that I prefer to strop from. Rub the leather with the flat of the palm of your hand and then strop your razor. If you haven't stropped before you might want to use a butter knife to get used to the motion and flipping the razor between thumb and forefinger. The barber manual in the SRP Wiki Help Files here has a good tutorial on stropping.

I'd shoot ken an email and ask him if I were you. I would assume it's ready to go though.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I'd shoot ken an email and ask him if I were you. I would assume it's ready to go though.

Are strops supposed to come strop ready?

Originally Posted by BYUTexan

Are strops supposed to come strop ready?

Well, I didn't know so I decided to look at his website. I found that each of his strops for sale are labeled "ready for use"

The two strops better than the Filly are described thus: "I work the leather so that no breaking in is required. The [strop] comes ready to use and will last for a lifetime."

I still can't really speak for Ken though

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Well, I didn't know so I decided to look at his website. I found that each of his strops for sale are labeled "ready for use"

The two strops better than the Filly are described thus: "I work the leather so that no breaking in is required. The [strop] comes ready to use and will last for a lifetime."

I still can't really speak for Ken though

What I meant to ask was, do I need to apply a paste or anything or break it in with anything or.....?

Originally Posted by BYUTexan

What I meant to ask was, do I need to apply a paste or anything or break it in with anything or.....?

I think the general consensus is that a strop for everyday use should not be pasted. Some guys might apply neatsfoot oil very sparingly if they wanted to increase the draw (resistance). Many, myself included, rub the strop with the palm of the hand and the skin oils help to keep it lubed.

If you want to do paste a default pasted strop, balsa flat hone, paddle is generally the best way to go. That way you have it to use on the occasions when you need that extra something. Just IME.

Originally Posted by BYUTexan

What I meant to ask was, do I need to apply a paste or anything or break it in with anything or.....?

I too am a recent filly owner. The rough side came with paste. The smooth side needed nothing other than a few dozen passes with my palm. I promptly nicked it within a minute, but nothing major. The nicks were easy to sand out w 800 grit. The filly really doesn't need any help.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Don't Ken's strops come pre-pasted on the reverse?

I am noticing a green stripe/smear on the rough or back side of it, what is that?

Originally Posted by BYUTexan

I am noticing a green stripe/smear on the rough or back side of it, what is that?

green .5 micron chromium oxide paste.
Ken didn't send you instructions? I got an instruction sheet with my filly.