Thread: Stropping is King

This is a very interesting thread - but while PuFF says he only uses a pasted strop every now and again, he does indicate that he uses different types of leathers for different purposes - which suggests that different leathers/finishes may do different things to the edge.

I've only been at this for about a month - I started off on a used Dovo strop (light leather, not sure which type) and then used the starter strop I aquired from Tony with my 3 inch strop and am now using my 3 inch red latigo strop.

In short, I've noticed a different effect on my razor with each strop (width is another factor that distinguishes these strops).

The Dovo has a much thinner, softer leather and did a good job on my razors.

The learner's strop (red latigo) doesn' seem to be finished as well as my 3 inch strop (not a criticism as it was free and I didn't expect it to be anything other than a very basic piece of leather). It has a harder finish and has more draw. What I noticed was that I had to use a little more pressure to move the razor along the strop and that my razors didn't feel as sharp as with the Dovo.

The 3 inch strop has a nicer finish than the learner's strop (duh!) and is much smoother and has a lighter draw - I've only been using it for a couple of days, but it seems to be doing a good job on my razors.

I guess what I'm saying is that, as with hones, different types/finishes/weights of leather may also have a role to play and there will be personal preferences and differing opinions. However, even my very limited experience suggests that material plays a role in strop performance - and that you may want to vary technique/pressure depending on strop material.

Now having said all this, I suspect that for most newbies (and I definitely include myself), its probably best to get a good strop (whether its from Tony, Keith, Illinois, Dovo, etc.) that more expereienced SRP members seem to like/feel is a quality strop and stick with it until you are comfortable with your technique and can maintain a razor through several shaves using nothing more than an unpasted strop (leather or leather/linen) before experimenting with different strop matierials - I've just happened to have used three different strops over the past month - I thought it was me, but Scott's post seemed to give weight to my experience with different types of strops having a different effect on my razors.

I would be interested in hearing from more experienced SRP members about their views/experience regarding both strop material (in particular differences between latigo (red/black), honey, and the various finishes offered by Handamerica) and technique.

While I suspect I'll have to go to the pasted padle more frequently than Scott, I do want to learn how to better use my strop and think that stropping is just as important to shave quality than is honing.

Just my very long $0.02.