Thread: Suitable strop?

Well, Christmas has come and gone and the new year is upon us already. I managed to get a 'real' straight razor as I mentioned some weeks ago on this site. I am now looking for a strop, but don't want to spend a fortune. Is this eBay one sufficient?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...K:MESE:IT&rd=1

It doesn't look to be the highest quality. I would be willing to spend more for better quality. look at these and you can see some of the differences:

http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com

I am not saying you have to buy from there there are other good sources but they do illustrate what a truly top quality product should look like.

Either on this page look to be a little higher quality leather.

http://www.diamondedgeltd.com/acatal...rushes_52.html

I bought a Tony Miller strop as well and I've had 0 objections to it. www.thewellshavedgentleman.com is the way to go

Nice, thanks for the useful link guys. Whilst in Trumpers last week, I noticed their strops were £50 plus ($100 and over I guess). I know this seller on eBay (well I've bought from there before). I'm currently using the inside of an old belt to strop my razor, even though I've not used it yet. I ought to soon though...

If money's an issue then send me a pm. I can set you up with a working unit until you can afford one of tony's better quality items. My strops aren't master craft workmanship but they work much better than an old belt and strop just fine.

Glen F

I would be skeptical of that strop too. Probably works as well as your belt.

Tony also frequently has "seconds" available, especially as an extra for the new guy who orders a #1 best strop to learn on so they don't damage the good one while they learn on the second.

Really there are lots of other options other than that eBay strop there.

X

Thanks for the replies guys. Looks like I won't be getting anything from eBay then. Really, I need something wider than a normal belt. My blade is a good 2" long (approx?) and the belt is nowhere near wide enough for it.

Are FUD and Tony's secondary strops just as good/robust as a conventional one? Also what are the implications of shipping these to the UK? i.e. do they attract import tax and what are the postage costs involved?

Thanks again!

I suppose I should point out that I got a stainless steel dovo/solingen razor from Trumper's (5/8). It's the one with the stainless steel (chrome?) polished handle.

I'm not sure if I need to get it reset (?) before I can start to use it. Having stropped it briefly on a leather belt (see above) it took off a few hand hairs fairly effortlessly when I tested it. Not sure if this is good enough though.

You'd have to give'er a test-shave, but stop if you feel pulling/tugging. It's not natural and if your blade skips over your stubble as well, you may develop some blood-loss issues. Generally, new razors don't come shave ready, but who knows, maybe you got lucky.

Thanks. Yes, I've been reading aorund here about how they don't come shave ready. Also saw this on the sites posted earlier in this thread.

I've left it for a Saturday or Sunday morning shave when I'll hopefully have more time to do it properly. That way I can easily resort to casualty if I need to or change to my usual replacement blade cut throat. Obviously I'll let you guys know how I get on.

I'm not sure - maybe I was better off with that anyway?

In any case, if it does need honing, who can I send it to in the UK that will do this?