Thread: Strop Purchase

Hi Gang,

I'm new and need to buy a strop without going broke in the meantime.

1. Are old strops on ebay worth purchasing?

2. If I am going to buy new, any recommended brands for a newbie like me to destroy?

Thanks!

eBay purchases are always a gamble. Try any of the strops at Straight Razor Design: you can't lose.

Straight Razor Designs has just released a new strop geared to the beginner. It comes in both a two or three inch version, and is less expensive than their premium line. I have't used it yet, but I own three other SRD strops. If this one is built to the same standards, you can't lose.

I am new also and have read about new users getting a shave ready str8 then stropping. They end up rolling the edge then have to send it back in for rehoning. I started out buying a couple pieces of leather 8.5" X 3" for about $18.00 and made a paddle strop one side plain the other pasted. That way you learn your technique without rolling the edge.

Happy shaving
Jeff

Thanks all for the info.

@Maxi and PCG - I am sure $50 for a strop isn't too bad if you a hardened veteran but might there be cheaper options that are still good buys?

@Jeff - do you mean the newbie rolled the edges because the strop was poor quality and/or cupped? Or do you simply mean be careful!

You roll the razor edge because of poor stropping technique, not because of the leather.

The SRD prices are extremely fair, particularly given that the item is something you're likely to use for many years. As I'd noted earlier, any eBay buy is a bit of a gamble. Strops can be had cheaper, but finding them is a matter of luck. I picked up a vintage example in an antique shop for $10 that's a great user, but you can't go wrong buying an SDR 3" strop. That's where I'd put my money.

Murdoc,

Something that you should consider when you're buying a strop. It's the single most used piece of equipment in your straight razor arsenal. It would be like a gym teacher or personal trainer trying to work in flip flops. A good strop, although a little bit pricey, is worth every penny. Buy a cheap one, and you'll know instantly.

If you spend $30 on a beginner strop, say.....and you knick it. Then you spend $$$ on a good strop, well now you've spend $30 + $$$ to get what you need.

If you buy a good strop for $$$ and nick it....then you buy a replacement leather for about $30, which will be the same leather, but lacking the hardware (which you already own...), so now you've spent $$$ + 30.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but one way you end up constantly using quality leather.

Originally Posted by JSan2260

I am new also and have read about new users getting a shave ready str8 then stropping. They end up rolling the edge then have to send it back in for rehoning. I started out buying a couple pieces of leather 8.5" X 3" for about $18.00 and made a paddle strop one side plain the other pasted. That way you learn your technique without rolling the edge.

Happy shaving
Jeff

Actually you could still roll the edge if you aren't carefull. Learning the flip/rolling the razor on the spine and not over toward the edge and how much pressure to use is what a new user needs to concentrate on.

Originally Posted by murdoc

Thanks all for the info.

@Jeff - do you mean the newbie rolled the edges because the strop was poor quality and/or cupped? Or do you simply mean be careful!

The razor should just glide over the surface of the strop. If you use too much pressure that pressure is transferred to the spine and the blade edge which is what will end up causing it to roll. Along with my aforementioned rolling in the wrong direction when "flipping" the razor.

Hope this helps.

Michael

Michael - that does help! Looking forward to figuring it out. I'll keep you guys posted.

One last piece of advice. Don't try to strop like a pro in the beginning. Take your time and go slow. You need to train your muscles to the task. As you build up the "muscle memory" you'll be able to increase your speed etc with out running into too many issues such as nicking, yada, yada, yada.

Michael