Thread: Strop width recommendation

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

2.5 inch,thats the optimal width IMO

I agree. A hanging strop in 2.5 is optimal for me as well.

Had to measure my favorite strop, 2 and 1/4 and I've never felt it to be to narrow.

Yes sir, it does sound like you need a new strop, all you have now is a piece of leather. I would be willing to bet your shaves will improve too...

Just my own opinion but I quite like doing the X pattern. I've only got a cheap Dovo lookalike with a cotton back but it does the job and I'll be hanging onto it when I upgrade.
I do the stropping before I jump in the bath or shower and if it's after a long day at work the stropping is the start of my wind down.

UP AND ACROSS - FLIP - DOWN AND ACROSS - FLIP (repeat as necessary)

Basically, concentrating on not shaving layers off the strop helps me to leave the day behind.

I've got my eyes on some of Neil Miller's offerings but will have to save.

I've got the small Dovo strop that came with my first razor and starter kit, it's taken a bit of a beating to say the least. I use the linen side of that now pasted with some Dovo grey / white paste, really like this paste, adds a little extra to the strop and will take the bite away from a harshly sharp razor and mellow it out...YMMV.

Also have the SRD I 3" strop with the mesh on the back, X stroke on all my strops, and this is a nice strop.

Just got an Illinois #827 strop and that is a beast, fine linen on the back, just applied (per instructions) some Fromm Strop conditioner to it, will let dry and give that one a go. So hopefully, I've improved and am patient enough now to appreciate speed kills, keep the spine on the strop and roll, and take it slow, and hopefully won't hack it to pieces.

Now I've read that draw isn't supposed to make a difference, but I'd like to see the difference between the three types of leather I have now, the Illinois has had some great reviews and allegedly has heavier draw and really gives great feedback ...and besides, got bit by some SAD so screw it, life's to short, have fun!!!

Am going to see what the Fromm Strop conditioner is like, we've got radiators in our house, and it is so dry, there's only so much palm rubbing one person can do, so may apply some of that conditioner to the other two strops as well.

Do not pine to much about stropping newbs,go slow, think about what you are doing,than slow down even more.
after a couple years, you will just strop with no thought as to what you are doing,it becomes an automatic process,something you will not even think about anymore,something that becomes simple,sort of like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes.
Watch some of the Vids on how to strop. will give you some basic information,than build on what you have seen.
Are many thousands of posts on SRP about how to strop a razor,some right, some wrong.
You need to find your own way,nobody can tell you how to strop,JMO

Just ordered a 2.5" strop from Neil Miller, I finally got one of his

Ok, it's only his £20 starter but I'd bet my pension that it's far superior to something of the same price on da bay!

X stroke me up !!!

Originally Posted by bongo

Don't forget the Star Shaving 3" "Big Daddy" strop....
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...big-daddy.html

+1 on this strop, i have 2 of them, 1 for the shop and 1 for the house. cant go wrong wit this one!