Thread: A few strop questions.

Well, as preface: I own a Tony Miller 3inch Latigo and Cotton. It's beautiful. While I was in the decision process, I was arguing between a 3 inch SRD latigo, or a 3 inch TM latigo... I decided for the TM, and have no regrets whatsoever. Now, for the questions

I've been hearing a lot of things about Horsehide, how, after stropping on the Latigo, moving to Horsehide has great benefits... Can anyone give some feedback on this to someone relatively new? My 40 pass cotton, 50 pass Latigo works fine, but if horsehide works that well, I may go for it.

Also, I'm thinking, if I get horsehide, I'd go for horsehide and cotton, then turn the cotton on my latigo into a pasting strop. So I could still have cotton, latigo, horsehide, then an 'in between' pasting strop to keep away from the hones as long as I can.

Stropping width. I'm finding that handles work better than a blank end, or a D ring. Handles are more comfortable of an angle for me. However, Width is a conundrum. I currently use the 3 inch latigo and cotton. I'm most comfortable with that, but so far, my only brush with thinner was the 7.50$ TM starter strop, and I couldn't get a comfortable grip on that, as it was a blank end... Should I try a thinner strop with a handle, or should I just stick with 3'' if the results are good for me.

I think that covers everything.

Thanks in advance.
Jeremy

I have a TM horse/Latigo strop and when I use it I do 25 latigo and 25 horse in that order. I happen to like that combination very much. I have been back and forth between using 2 1/2" and 3" strops. I don't know that one is better than the other. Maybe it is what you get used to .

I think I'll try a 2.5 sooner or later, but stick with 3s for now. Thanks.

And I guess I'll get a horsehide sometime, too

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I think I'll try a 2.5 sooner or later, but stick with 3s for now. Thanks.

And I guess I'll get a horsehide sometime, too

I haven't tried the cotton but Tony's linen is really great. Since you are going for a bit of variety you might look at that too.

The cotton doesn't cost extra... so.. I think I'll stick with cotton, and make the other cotton into a Paster

But, yea, I wonder if there is a way for me to send my current Latigo, Cotton strop into Mr. Miller, and have it made into (at my expense, of course) one of the Tri-Strops that I've seen somewhere, Cotton, Latigo and Horsehide... That thing looked beastly, but it also looked bulky... That's why I'm looking at just gettting another horsehide.

I still need to find a way to try out a 2.5 inch strop >.<

I have found the Tri-Strop idea to be a bit too bulky and it tends to twist to the side a bit when the third component is flipped aside.

This was a design suggested by a customer who still loves his but is not a product I will make any longer. If I don't like it, I don't make it.

Tony

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

The cotton doesn't cost extra... so.. I think I'll stick with cotton, and make the other cotton into a Paster

But, yea, I wonder if there is a way for me to send my current Latigo, Cotton strop into Mr. Miller, and have it made into (at my expense, of course) one of the Tri-Strops that I've seen somewhere, Cotton, Latigo and Horsehide... That thing looked beastly, but it also looked bulky... That's why I'm looking at just gettting another horsehide.

I still need to find a way to try out a 2.5 inch strop >.<

All you need to do is order the required component strop from Tony. Use a screw driver to separate the screws and addthe new component. I ordered the Tri Strop a year ago. Shortly after I decided that I wanted to separate it and add the Cotton to one and the linen with the other leather. You can change the combination as you like. This was an excellent option designed by Tony. My TM strops are excellent. MikeB

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I have found the Tri-Strop idea to be a bit too bulky and it tends to twist to the side a bit when the third component is flipped aside.

This was a design suggested by a customer who still loves his but is not a product I will make any longer. If I don't like it, I don't make it.

Tony

This is exactly why I was on the fence about it. Thanks, Mr. Miller.

Which leads me back to the thought process of, I'll probably -over the course of the next half year- pick up a Horsehide and Cotton to serve as a finishing strop, and then use one of my cottons for a Paste, to get the hang of it, then, later on down the road, get a Pasting Paddle strop...

And start building an ample rotation between now and them...

And find a finishing stone....

And start learning how to hone...

And.... Dammit, Look what you guys did to me My poor wallet

I started with a 2.5 inch, TM with D rings and a practice strop. It is what I learned to strop on. The size has not been a problem. I recently ordered a 2.5 inch, Horsehide/cotton combo. I intend to paste the cotton component with, Dovo white paste.

I don't expect there would be a problem with a 2.5, I've just started on, and become accustomed to, 3 inches. So I'm not sure if the change would decrease my results or not.

I want to get a horsehide though. Horsehide and Cotton, then paste on my old or new cotton.. one or the other.