Thread: I need help with a strop!!!

Hi, I'll get right to the point! I have been straight shaving for almost a year and the strop I have (Vintage Blades LLC*::*Razor Strops*::*Vintage Blades 3" Hanging Razor Strop in Black Latigo Leather and White Linen) has a very heavy draw and I really hate it! It works ok for my hollow grounds but it really sucks trying to use it on a wedge? Any suggestions on a new strop that wont break the bank! I have burnished the crap out of the one I have and still a very heavy drag! Im about to blot it next to see if that will help.

Look at the star shaving bid daddy strop, it has been a good one for me.

Have a look at SRD the draw of each strop us in the description to help with choosing. It will at least give you.a guide line.

Originally Posted by jdoc

Look at the star shaving bid daddy strop, it has been a good one for me.

How is the draw on the Big Daddy?

Have you done anything to the strop to increase the draw, or did it come that way?. If you have oiled or lathered it, that can be removed. If not, then you need a new strop. Personally, I like heavy draw and deal with it by lightening my lapping stroke.

You're in good company, been there done that. I also had a Big Daddy English Bridle and liked it. The one that seems to right up your alley based on what you posted is a kangaroo strop. SRD has one that I just love. You'll be surprised by the thinness of the Roo's hide but don't let that deter you from getting one. The draw is buttery smooth. A couple of members turned me on to this and I just love it! Look on YouTube for a stropping demonstration by Jimbo. I'm confident that this is just what the doctor ordered.

There is more draw on the Big Daddy than the kangaroo strop. It is similar to the latigo IMO.

I have a nice SRD tan leather strop with the mesh on the back.

Got it and a Dovo Bismarck from a guy on E-Bay, who used it once, and wasn't into SR shaving. It sat in his apartment for a year.

I got it, the razor was beautiful, strop was great. Palm rubbed that strop religiously, twice, three times a day, it was very dry and just wouldn't provide any draw.

Ordered the Illinois #827 strop with some Fromm Strop conditioner as recommended, applied it as directed to the #827, this strop is a beast, huge feedback! I strop on the #827 and do some finishing on the SRD, no other reason than I like to...

Figured, why not try adding some conditioner to the SRD strop, first application it was absorbed before I even finished applying it. So, three applications later, the strop is finally supple, not brittle, and is finally providing some real nice feedback.

YMMV....

So the strop conditioner seemed to work well in this case...

Originally Posted by ace

Have you done anything to the strop to increase the draw, or did it come that way?. If you have oiled or lathered it, that can be removed. If not, then you need a new strop. Personally, I like heavy draw and deal with it by lightening my lapping stroke.

I have not applied anything to it and it says that there is no need to break it in. Its draw is the heaviest Ive used and Ive tried a quite a few vintage strops and they were way more comfortable to strop with!

That Roo strop looks good I may have to break the piggy bank and go for it! What do you guys suggest for the linen?