Thread: SRD Premium II Strop

Hi guys,

I just bought a SRD Premium II strop about a month and a half ago. Of the reviews I have read, they said that it has a medium draw but the one I'm using now has absolutely no draw whatsoever and it gives the zipping sound of the edge across the leather. Before this one I used a Black Latigo which after several treatments of neatsfoot and sanding the top layer off had an insane amount of draw. What I've found is that after using this SRD Premium II, I do actually prefer some draw, but not quite as heavy as the Latigo I had - I want to strike a middle ground with a nice smooth draw that is bareable: a 'medium' draw? Also, for some odd reason that I can't explain when the strop has no draw at all, the blade seems sharper and gives more irritation (I also hear the zipping of the edge on leather whereas on a drawing strop it's much more quiet). My neck and face is somewhat red after shaving when stropping this way, however If I do a quick lather treatment or something to increase the draw my shaves are much smoother so in my experience I have discovered that at least to me, draw does seem to be important.

I have palm rubbed this strop like crazy but oddly it never seems to help draw, so I resorted to doing a few lather treatments which do help but I find that the draw gradually goes away after palm rubbing daily (I assume because the lather is coming off on my hand). What I would like is to permanently increase the draw of this strop - what sort of treatments would you guys recommend to do this? I have used a couple drops of neatsfoot already on it and still nothing. I figured I'd ask the pros since I'd prefer not to sand this one if its not necessary and avoid using too much neatsfoot, which pretty much destroyed my Latigo one (surface was way too oily and would come off on the blade).

Thanks

As you have found out there are miles of difference between a latigo strop and a strop like the premium II. Patience is key for a premium II type of strop. Palm rubbing will make a world of difference and doing it twice a day will bring the type of result you were looking for. I could be wrong but it strikes me you have already found what the premium can offer a blade and in fact by your description you may have overstropped your edge which could well give you the "sharper" reaction
with your blade. I think if you can still end up with what you want if you stick with the palm rubbing and cut off the neatsfoot oil. If you continue with the oil and lather treatments I think you will end up with as much draw as your latigo and
the purpose of your premium II will be defeated and sanding a premium II will ruin your II imho.
Perhaps some of our other members will give you their thoughts. We do have several "pro" among our members. Good luck.

They usually come around with just the hand rubbing. I rub them daily when new for a few weeks until my palm feels warm and the draw starts to increase. It will feel like night and day regardless against the treatment you describe on the latigo which probably drags at this point vs. heavy draw.

Have fun.

"Lather treatment" ? What are you doing? I like draw also, and just got a new black Latigo from Lynn. I am doing the hand thing for a couple more days before the oil for the first time. I have a heavy draw red latigo also and I want to have just a little less draw in this new black strop just for variety. The sanding ideal sort of scares me of maybe ruining a strop. I've never heard of that. Does it make it nappy?

Want some draw, try some roo. (might be a good signature punchline !)