Thread: Info on different types of strops

Hello guys,

Noob here. I am confused about all the different types of strops. Leather, latigo, braided cloth. Also, what are the stropping pastes for? What is a balsa wood strop? Does it matter what type of leather is used in making the strop?

Any education that you could give is much appreciated.

Cutter

Hi,
It can get a bit confusing. Here's some info to get you started.

Although there are many different materials on offer these days, the end result varies very little.

The different leathers have different feels, & it's primarily down to personal preference, & the perception (or possible misconception!), that one is outperforming another. For example, Latigo has plenty of draw (feeling of resistance), whereas horsehide has very little. Despite this, they perform very much the same.

As long as the leather used has been treated correctly, & is good quality, whatever you choose will be fine.

Stropping pastes are used in place of hones, on strops set aside for that purpose. Even if using pastes, a clean, uncontaminated strop is needed for everyday use.

A balsa strop is just a piece of balsa, fixed to a firmer surface, that can be loaded with paste. It's a nice cheap option when you need to sharpen a blade, but don't want to use hones for whatever reason. There are arguments for & against the use of pastes over hones.

Hope that helps get you going.

The well shaved gentleman has a decent summary of strop mats.

The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company

Scroll down to "which strop to use"

Thanks so much guys. What do you recommend for stropping paste? Diamond (.5 vs. 1.0) or chromium oxide?

Thanks again!

Glad it was useful.
As for paste, If i were using a paddle strop, i'd go CrO.
If i had the extra cash, i'd go with diamond spray on a felt hanging strop, with 1.0 on one side, & 0.5 on the other.
CrO will get you good results though, & you can make the strop.

Welcome to SRP Cutter.....

+1 with Ben here on the Crox paste. As far as strops go, they are really a matter of preference. The Latigo's offer more draw, The horsehides are smoother, you also have russian leather, which is buffed out, almost like a suede. SRD Preimium 1 is a good strop. If I were to get just one strop, that would be it. Since your starting out, and haven't really done any stropping. There's a good possibility that you'll cut it or nick it.
Ken at Ruprazor has beginner strops called the Fily: check this link
RupRazor - Strops

Also, the WIKI here: Razor Strops - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Has some useful info. Pastes are used down the road when your blade begins to dull or drag. Chromium oxide is a good choice for refreshing a blade or adding that little extra to your honing. You really don't need to worry about pastes just yet...

As far as Leather mattering, It does. Think of it like buying a leather jacket. Good leather = Good product....
Balsa wood are mainly for pastes and that's for sharpening or honing. Again, you have plenty of time to worry about that...

Feel free to PM me for more detailed info....Hope this helps...

Cutter,

I am a newb too going thru the same action as you right now, maybe check out my thread in the newbie corner, Which strop, help please. I got a lot of good info from the people here and decided to go with a Tony Miller strop from thewellshavedgentleman.com. Getting a 2" old school with all standard latigo, cotton and d-rings.Also picking up the additional pratice strop for $7.50, a must from what I gather. I have found that the wiki here on stropping is amazing.Watching the ken rup videos is what made me decide on the 2", also the how to make your own balsa strop is awesome and $ saving, going to make mine on a piece of slate tile with hobby shop balsa. Not sure what my opinion is worth as a newb but it is collected from responses to my own queries and research.Keep it real dude.