Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Member SavantStrike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 8

    Default Has anyone else here found they get better results with smaller strops?

    I've been thinking this over for a while now, and I'm really glad I've always stuck to 2" strops. When I use them it really feels like I'm making good contact with the blade, and I swear I can even see it while I'm stropping. I've tried 2.5" width and the blade definitely still makes contact, although if it was a blade with a severe smile I can see applications where the 2.5" will not make contact as well as a 2" strop. The one time I tried a 3" strop, I was in the middle of making some DIY paddles and I tried a diy 3" belt for about 30 seconds before I came to the conclusion that it felt all wrong. The blade didn't make contact nearly as well on a 3" strop as a 2 or 2.5" strop.

    Do I just suck with a 3" strop, or is something else at play here (convenience, speed, etc)?

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    Interesting. I have never used a strop that wasn't at least 2 1/2. For some time I've used the 3" and I like it. I do go back and forth between the two sometimes but that is more because I like to use some of the vintage strops that I have for the nostalgia factor. Good to know that the 2" works that well for you. I had always wondered how guys could get by with the thinner strops. I don't know why you would have had a problem with the wider strop. An SRD, a HandAmerican or a Tony Miller are good and flat and work great for me.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  3. #3
    Member SavantStrike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JimmyHAD View Post
    Interesting. I have never used a strop that wasn't at least 2 1/2. For some time I've used the 3" and I like it. I do go back and forth between the two sometimes but that is more because I like to use some of the vintage strops that I have for the nostalgia factor. Good to know that the 2" works that well for you. I had always wondered how guys could get by with the thinner strops. I don't know why you would have had a problem with the wider strop. An SRD, a HandAmerican or a Tony Miller are good and flat and work great for me.
    Just doing a few extra passes lets us get by . It is easier to nick a 2" strop though IMO as you are moving the blade around a lot more on the surface of the strop .

  4. #4
    Senior Member blabbermouth spazola's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Burkburnett TX
    Posts
    3,095
    Thanked: 2392

    Default

    I like a less then wide strop sometimes. I like it for the same reason I enjoy honing smiling blades, there is a bit of finesse and movement involved. I do not get better results with a thinner strop. I get the about the same results regardless of width. I enjoy paying attention and doing the X stroke.

    At other times I like a 3" get'er done strop, no muss, no fuss.

    Variety is the spice of life.

    Charlie
    Last edited by spazola; 11-19-2009 at 04:41 PM.

  5. #5
    Senior Member sffone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Baton Rouge, La.
    Posts
    357
    Thanked: 93

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SavantStrike View Post
    The blade didn't make contact nearly as well on a 3" strop as a 2 or 2.5" strop.
    This has been my experience also. I have a couple of nice 3" strops that I started with, but I'm finding more and more that my 2" and 2 1/2" strops are easier to use in terms of maintaining proper contact between blade and strop. If I could have only one strop, it would be 2 1/2."

  6. #6
    BHAD cured Sticky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,306
    Thanked: 230

    Default

    I prefer the narrower strops. 85% of my stropping is on a latigo 1.5" hanger,

    I don't think the results are any better.

  7. #7
    Member SavantStrike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sticky View Post
    I prefer the narrower strops. 85% of my stropping is on a latigo 1.5" hanger,

    I don't think the results are any better.
    That sounds a bit narrow even for my taste... although....


    I shall have to try that now . I think I've got some scrap something or other about that dimension.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Nottingham, Maryland
    Posts
    2,559
    Thanked: 382

    Default

    A 2 1/2" is my favorite and I use a 2" occasionally................but, 90% of what I sell is still a 3". To me it is overkill but I suppose many like the straight up and back without the x-pattern. Or maybe it is that old USA, bigger is better thing.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Central Texas
    Posts
    603
    Thanked: 143

    Default

    I also prefer the 2-inch strops. I feel I have better control over making contact with the full length of the blade and there is no trouble with cupping -- well much less trouble, anyway.

    I sent a note to SRD asking if they would make their higher-end or custom strops available in 2-inch versions and they said no.

    Not sure which is the more appropriate smiley:




  10. #10
    Member SavantStrike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    62
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TexasBob View Post
    I also prefer the 2-inch strops. I feel I have better control over making contact with the full length of the blade and there is no trouble with cupping -- well much less trouble, anyway.

    I sent a note to SRD asking if they would make their higher-end or custom strops available in 2-inch versions and they said no.

    Not sure which is the more appropriate smiley:



    I didn't really need to be forced in to it because I wanted one any way, but when I went for horse, I got a TM because he sells them in 2". A 2" premium II would have been a nice option though, but I guess most guys who want that just get the 3". So far it sounds like there would be very few guys interested .

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •