Thread: Anyone Try HandAmerican's Strops?

Originally Posted by handamerican

Hi Folks,
I just wanted to drop in and say thanks for your discussing my work, I appreciate it.
Keith

Hi Keith, curious about why you don't think linen/canvas is effective in stropping ? Any chance you could elaborate ? Inquiring minds and all of that.

Sorry Jimmy, I'm not comfortable discussing my work on forums, I don't buy advertising and it wouldn't be fair.

Send a PM or contact me off list if you like.
Keith

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Hi Keith, curious about why you don't think linen/canvas is effective in stropping ? Any chance you could elaborate ? Inquiring minds and all of that.

I used the Old Dog again last night.

I really like the way the leather feels. Since I have now used the strop a few times it seems to be breaking in a bit, and I'm getting excellent draw feedback from the razors. I will say it again-the bridle leather definitely has a diiferent feel than latigo or shell horsehide. Horsehide is glassy smooth, and latigo has a certain kind of feel to the draw that leather gives, not quite sure how best to describe it....but the Old Dog has a certain "naked" leather feel to it, as it was made without waxes, according to Keith. It has a more textured feel to it. Not rough, but the feeling that perhaps the lack of waxes allows the natural porous structure of the leather to be what is actually doing the work on the razor's edge.

I haven't quite been able to determine the diamond pattern side's effectiveness, as I've been using freshly honed razors on the strop so far.

I will say that I did hone up a razor last week, did one pass with it-- it felt a bit *unsophisticated* (a little scratchy maybe), so I gave it 30 laps on the Old Dog, and the remaining two passes were quite nice.