Looking for strop advice

Hi guys; I'm on a shaving sabbatical since I moved to my new place here in toronto, because my friend and I were sharing a strop at my old place and I decided to let him take it so I can buy a brand new one without any nicks :D

so, I've only ever put my hands on two different strops; my open one, which was this one: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196033.htm

and X-Man's strop, which I believe was one of tony's ( http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...g?categoryId=2 )

Though they were both leather strops with linen backs, they were completely different.

The DOVO leather was soft, almost like suede, with miniscule 'hairs' sticking up from the soft side of the leather (the shiny side was hidden, pinned against the backside of the linen). The colour was a light tan. The leather itself was moderately thin and flexible. If I gripped it with moist hands (eg. when re-stropping mid-shave) it would leave a darker brown, matted mark on the leather (again consistent with suede).

X's strop was thicker and less flexible, and the texture was very glossy.. the colour was a dark tan.

The linens were very different too; the DOVO again was very pliable, whereas X's seemed stiffer.


So, now I'm trying to figure out what strop I want to buy (and soon!! this beard is driving me nuts). Does anyone have any opinion about what strops they prefer, and what attributes make them prefer it? Of the two types of leather strops I described above, how can I expect their different textures to affect the result of stropping?

My strop is one I got from classic shaving. It is the extra wide one. I like the wider strops no need to do the X pattern. Mine is stiffer than you described initially sounds more like the x-man strop. I love mine. I would only trade it for a Tony Miller extra wide strop.:D

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Originally Posted by RichZ

My strop is one I got from classic shaving. It is the extra wide one. I like the wider strops no need to do the X pattern. Mine is stiffer than you described initially sounds more like the x-man strop. I love mine. I would only trade it for a Tony Miller extra wide strop.:D

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Do you have any opinion on whether a stiffer or more supple leather would be a better surface for stropping? I have this hunch that suede-like material might grab better but I don't really know :P

I kind of like the stiffer. I am not sure if one is better than the other. :confused:

Hi Craig,

My hanging strop is NOT one of Tony's. It is an Illinois 361 which I bought before getting my first razor. I bought it after reading the early threads on strops and although the 361 does seem to be an anomoly as far as stiffness and a glossy hard surface go, but the general concensus was that even though it doesn't display the normal drawing characteristics which are usually found desireable, it was a superior razor strop. I wanted everything working to my benefit so I went for that one. I concur that it is a great tool.

My paddle is a Tony Miller and if it is any indication of what his hanging strops are like, they must be good tools too.

X

I've got alot of strops, soft, hard, cow, seal, horse, elk, new and vintage and I prefer the harder strops. I use one of Tony's #1 strops mostly now and personally I think its the best out there.

Thanks guys, I'm blushing


Tony

The Dovo paddle strop I bought new (and for considerably more) doesn't even compare to the custom paddle strop I bought from Tony, IMHO!

Hal

well... I guess I'm gonna just HAVE to buy a strop from tony ;)

Actually, another question.. I've wanted to get one of the 4-sided pre-pasted paddle strops from tony for awhile, but there are several options the surface and I have no idea what to go with.

He offers them with any combination of balsa + leather sides , but I really don't know whether balsa or leather is a better material for pastes. Anyone have advice here?

- Craig

Craig,
Good question. I'm going to sit out of this one a while as I am curious what guys find to work for them. I have gone through a transition on this myself in the past year, first offering a hard suede type surface like TI does and then transitioning to smooth hard leather a it seemed to be what more guys asked for. There are smooth, hard, soft, textured, etc... leathers, for woods I have seen both balsa, basswood and poplar used, etc...

I would love to hear thoughts on what makes a good surface for abrasives....


Tony

I just got Tony's wide strop and 4-sided paddle - I'm certainly just a beginner but both work well for me.

I took Tony's advice on the paddle and went with 3 leather sides and a balsa side with 3 micron, 1 micron and .5 micron pastes on the leather and .25 micron on the balsa.

Also, I get the distinct suction feeling on the hanging strop.

Tom