Loom Strops - your thoughts?

[Steelforge]

Hi folks.

I'm considering getting myself a loom strop, probably one of the ones from Maestro Livi but with just a SS handle - nothing flashy just functional.

Are they 'better' than a hanging strop, I mean is there any compelling reason why you'd choose one over a hanging strop, other than just for the sake of collecting different strops?

I have a Tony Miller strop, which has been great but has quite a few nicks in it from my early learning days. I've noticed that my hanging strop also seems to go a little 'shiny' in between uses, and I need to rub my hand back and forth on it to soften it up a little before taking a razor to it. I don't think it's drying out, maybe could be due to the humidity in the bathroom...

Any thoughts?

Cheers.

[FiReSTaRT]

I don't think a loom strop would fix that problem, but they do make nice travellers, especially for longer trips. If you travel a lot, you can justify te expense.

[Lynn]

Really depends on the leather and construction of the loom strop. Some Loom Strops have similar leather to your hanging strops, especially the old ones. The Maestro uses a very soft leather with a linen back that has a green paste or chalk on it. Will still boil down to personal preference. I use mine, but I also use my hanging strop a lot and a paddle strop for travel.

Have fun.

lynn

[Tony Miller]

I have a few older loom strops and while the design is nice in practice they seem too small. The Maestro's are the only larger ones out there and if I was in the market that would be what I would go for. I think his are both wider and longer than traditionally used which is a great improvement. Most of the others are barely 1 1/4" wide and never more than 8" of stropping length, often less.

Tony

[xman]

I look at the loom strop as a gadget. It's designed for people who, due to injury or something, can't pull a strop taut and hold a razor at the same time, but don't like the rigidity of a paddle strop. That's just me and I know some guys still have fun with them. If you do get one, at least get a cool handle on it though.

X

[JoshEarl]

Ivo,

I'd suggest getting the Maestro's 72" model, as shown in Lynn's DVD...

Josh

[Bruno]

I have a few older loom strops and while the design is nice in practice they seem too small. The Maestro's are the only larger ones out there and if I was in the market that would be what I would go for. I think his are both wider and longer than traditionally used which is a great improvement. Most of the others are barely 1 1/4" wide and never more than 8" of stropping length, often less.

Tony

I have a DOVO loom strop, bought when I bought my first razor.
I am now eagerly awaiting Tony's 3Inch honey brown hanging strop.

Reasons for the change:
- the leather has curled. this can be a problem with the looms, due to the construction and use.
- it is very narrow (1 1/4) and only about 7 inches usable length. To give a razor some decent stropping I have to make a ridiculous amount of Xes. Tedious work.
- doesn't come with linen (at least mine)

IMO, a loom is more of a gadget, at least the ones like I have. I cannot comment on Livi's looms.
Perhaps a loom is more useful for traveling, but I'd rather buy a Tony's starter's strop for that purpose.

[Steelforge]

Hmmm some good replies there, I'll give it some thought.

The only reason I'm thinking of a new strop at all is that my Tony Miller one has got a fair number of slashes in it. I sanded them out but there's one end of the strop that isn't flat now so I have to avoid using that part.

I don't use the linen side of my strop now, I just don't like it, and I much prefer to use a yellow coticle or my pasted paddle if I need anything other than leather.

I have to say a hanging strop is very convenient, and when not it use it hangs on a hook on the back of my bathroom door. I don't have any very solid mounting points for it so I have to be a little careful how hard I pull on it when keeping it tight, and I'm reluctant to install any heavy duty hooks on the walls at it's a rented flat with a small bathroom.

I'll give it a bit of thought. I don't need to buy a new one at the moment as my Tony Miller strop is still plenty usable and as very good, but maybe if money allows I'll look at a Maestro loom strop to go with it.

[FiReSTaRT]

Iwan, if you're looking for a replacement, I'd get another hanger if I were you. A loom strop would make a great supplement, but not a replacement.
You may wish to develop a more delicate stropping technique. A double-sided tape mounted hook should be ok to hold the strop even when you pull on it, because you don't need to pull on it that hard. Try being gentler and it will become easier on both strops and walls.

[izlat]

Ilija - I also thought / find that you don't HAVE to pull that hard, especially with a light blade touch, as you say.

I am just glad to hear someone with more experience confirm this because it seems all newbs get the advice to use a light motion but also to pull hard to keep the strop tight. I tried this, and despite the fact that I have good grip strength (my therapist: "God, you're strong! I only saw one other guy who got as much and he was much bigger plus you are hurt!" - she made my day for sure) my fingers actually got tired... so now I don't pull as much because I want to have my left hand fresh for the shave precision (to clarify - my strop does not have the ring on the bottom, which would make pulling much easier, of course)

Iwan: you only use the linen to warm the blade through friction, so that it responds better to the plain leather edge realignment, from what I know. This is very different from using a Coticule or anything pasted. I am just pointing out, if you don't like it - you don't and that's that

Cheers
Ivo