Thread: Fabric substitute...

Hey guys,

I just got this nice vintage strop, but it didn't come with a fabric strop. Any idea how to sort of make one myself or use something that would create the same effect?

Thanks!!

JF

Easiest solution would be just to buy some of the strop replacement materiel from straightrazordesigns. If you want to make your own, denim and canvas will both work. You need to build up multiple layers for thickness, so you'll need to stitch it or use a fabric adhesive.

Some denim I cut from an old pair of jeans and sewed into a tube has been working nicely for me. (Very budget solution!)

All the best,
Michael.

I checked at srd but it would
cost me $19 in shipping
for
something costing $4

Go to a junkyard and see if you can get any old seat belt material from an old junk automobile. Stuff works pretty well aside from being a bit narrow.

Originally Posted by Dups

Hey guys,

I just got this nice vintage strop, but it didn't come with a fabric strop. Any idea how to sort of make one myself or use something that would create the same effect?

Thanks!!

JF

I'm in the same situation; I've got several strops for which I would like to get fabric webbing. I've been searching the internet to find a source for a suitable fabric but haven't been successful yet. It'll be interesting to see if any of our forum friends can put us in touch with a source.

Dups

I have been experimenting with Nylon strapping with some excellent results.

A while back I purchased a Straight Razor Design Hard Rock Felt Strop. I had a choice of the second fabric strop between the Cotton Herringbone and Black Web Fabric. I chose the Cotton Herringbone as I intended to use it for pre shaving tune-ups and did not intend to paste the fabric. I use .25 Diamond Spray on the Rock Felt with excellent results.

I am not sorry with my selection as it does what I intended and is a gorgeous smooth fabric strop.

But it got me thinking about the Web Fabric and began a search on this site for more information without much result, except a post from Lynn that he was experimenting and having good results with Nylon and pastes.

So one day I was at a swap meet and a guy was selling Military surplus and I purchased a clean, near new, Nylon web belt 1.5 in wide, about 50 in long for $1.

I took a freshly honed razor that I had shaved with once with good result and stropped it on the nylon belt. I experienced a noticeable improvement, a very smooth shave.

I then began a search locally for wider Nylon Strapping and found an Army Surplus that sold Black 2 in webbing by the foot at 50 cents a foot. I bought 10 feet. Now this webbing is similar to Seatbelt material, much thinner than the original military belt.

I have experimented with these belts and various pastes with impressive results. It makes a great medium for paste, I believe because the paste works into the weave and as the weight of the razor pushes on the upper threads the pastes contact the razor edge. The Nylon seems to be fibrous enough to buff/polish the edge at the same time.

I would suggest you look at Nylon Webbing, you can’t beat the cost and I believe will be impressed with the results.

By the way the Hard Felt Strop is a must have and the SRD is a well made good looking piece.

Marty

Originally Posted by M Martinez

By the way the Hard Felt Strop is a must have and the SRD is a well made good looking piece.

+1 with the diamond spray it is the cat's whiskers.