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  1. #11
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Tony, what about linen hose? Have you tried sourcing that?
    Last edited by honedright; 10-07-2006 at 06:31 AM.

  2. #12
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    I use linen (cotton) on all of my strops. I used to buy a certian weight from Tilly when it was available and have finally found a direct source right from the mill. I have a variety of weights and widths. Not easy stuff to find.

    The material Illinois uses is flat weave, like mine, not tubular but they inpregnate or coat it to achieve the super stiff feel. Mine has a firm body but a soft napp to it. I also have one now that has a slicker finish much like it has been waxed but it is simply a smooth "ironed" type finish.

    It seems that quite a variety of material will work. Jemico strops use a very soft loose weave linen, Illinois uses what feels like a hard starched material and mine is like Baby Bear's Porridge......."just right" <g>.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  3. #13
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Howard Wallace
    The strop I got from you (which I like very much) has the canvas and leather attached at both ends, so the shorter one will be pulled tight but the (ever so slightly) longer one will have some slack. Why did you choose this design?

    Howard,

    In different climates and humidity the two pieces of the strop may seem slightly different. The idea is to pull just enough that both become taught and you will have the correct tension. If for some reason one has stretched too much and you cannot get them taught let me take a look at it and make it work for you. All of mine are still fine but occasionally a piece may have more give in it than others.

    I am adding some different hardware options on my strops, mainly the more basic models to make them lok even nicer. I may change the bottom attachment though now that I hear about this.

    Thanks,
    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  4. #14
    Senior Member Howard Wallace's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Miller
    In different climates and humidity the two pieces of the strop may seem slightly different. The idea is to pull just enough that both become taught and you will have the correct tension. If for some reason one has stretched too much and you cannot get them taught let me take a look at it and make it work for you. All of mine are still fine but occasionally a piece may have more give in it than others.
    Tony,

    On my strop the linen is slightly shorter than the leather, so the leather never becomes completely taut. However, the strop still functions well to keep my razors sharp, and that's all I ask of it. I wouldn't take the trouble, nor bother you, to adjust it.

    An easy adjustment feature might be something to consider when you're thinking of new designs though.

  5. #15
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Miller
    I use linen (cotton) on all of my strops.
    Tony
    Tony, ever considered using real linen? Ed Simon indicates it is more abrasive:

    Quote Originally Posted by honedright
    I had a very interesting conversation this morning with Mr. Ed Simon at Fromm International.

    And he mentioned something about the superior abrasive quality of linen over cotton in the manufacture of canvas strops. This may help clarify the intended purpose of using the linen when stropping.
    Scott
    Linen has been available (especially in Europe) much longer than cotton, so the old barbers must have used it instead of cotton.
    Last edited by Kees; 10-08-2006 at 08:33 AM.

  6. #16
    Senior Member superfly's Avatar
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    Linen (Flax) and Canvas (Hemp) are two most used materials for the "other" side of the strop. They have unique properties for maintaining and preparing the edge for the leather strop. While Linen was more available to the states, the Canvas was used more in Europe, and today, DOVO is still using Hemp for the canvas side of their strops.

    Flax fiber properties:
    When adequately prepared, linen has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. It can gain up to 20% moisture without feeling damp. When freed from impurities it is highly absorbent and will quickly remove perspiration from the skin.

    It does not stretch and is resistant to damage from abrasion.

    Linen is relatively easy to take care of since it resists dirt and stains, has no lint or pilling tendencies and can be dry cleaned, machine washed or steamed.

    It can withstand high temperatures and only has some moderate initial shrinkage.

    Due to its strength, in the Middle Ages linen was used for shields and gambeson.

    Irish linen is the best wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands.

    Paper made of linen can be very strong and crisp, which is why the United States and many other countries print their currency on paper that is made from 25% Linen and 75% Cotton.

    Hemp fiber properties:


    70% of the Cannabis plant's total weight is made up of the 'hurd' or woody inner core.

    The silica leached from soil by the plant combined with unslaked lime (calcium oxide) forms a chemical bond similar to cement which is both fire and waterproof.

    It was used to make the first pieces of fabric ever found and was therefore also used as the first material for paper. It was used to make canvas, and the word itself is derived from cannabis.

    Hemp rope is notorious for breaking due to rot. Hemp rope rots from the inside out, and thus the rope looks good until it breaks. Hemp rope used in the age of sail was protected by tarring.


    Nenad

  7. #17
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kees
    Tony, ever considered using real linen? Ed Simon indicates it is more abrasive:
    Linen has been available (especially in Europe) much longer than cotton, so the old barbers must have used it instead of cotton.
    Kees,
    Sadley though the manufacturers and mill only weave the material in cotton now days.
    Do remember though that Ed Simon, a valuable resource I admit is recalling the good old days. I don't think you will find any maker out there doing things this way today simply because the materials are not available. Tubular "hose" woven cloth, linen belting, horsehide, etc...... When the large market nearly vanished those items stopped being needed or made. It is increasingly hard to source many of the fine components any more.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

  8. #18
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    There are mills that still produce fine 100% linen textiles, such as Thomas Fergusons in Ireland. Now would, or could, they produce linen hose? I sent an inquiry asking them, but haven't heard back yet.

    My guess is that, if they can make it, it would be very expensive as most custom ordered items are. I read that linen is also processed in China. Anyone want to go over there and try and have linen hose made?

    I'm sure that if someone really wanted, all of the high quality old materials could be brought back into production, but would it be worth the time, trouble and expense? It'll probably never happen as long as there are suitable, cheaper alternatives, and there is a relatively small demand.

    Scott

  9. #19
    Senior Member superfly's Avatar
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    Tony, if you have problems finding Hemp or Flax, you can try searching for hemp in the painter's supply store, as the paintings are still painted on hemp canvas. The texture is not so fine, and it might be suitable for the strop's canvas side. I have a piece at home, I just have to find it

    Nenad

  10. #20
    Senior Member Tony Miller's Avatar
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    Nenad,
    The problem is finding it already woven into a neat strap withour trying to bind edges etc.... which don't hold up well or look neat.

    Yes, one could have anything made to order but cost is an issue. Even buying a standard size as I do subjects me to a minimum length which is a LOT of linen. Remember, we are serving a very small market here. Even my minimum on a standard size lasts me 6 to 9 months and I make a lot of strops.
    To have a mill setup for a certain specialty would require thousands of yards to be purchased.

    Tony
    The Heirloom Razor Strop Company / The Well Shaved Gentleman

    https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/

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