Details on SRD Strops

I have tried reading what I could on the site (back to page 10) and searching, so I am sorry for the question I am sure is asked often (I was hoping it was a sticky).

I am new to straights and the site (but not wet shaving), and was looking at the STD razor and strop combos. I think I have picked a Basic Dovo but have no idea what I want for a strop, other than 3". I am looking for what you wish you did or would suggest for a first strop, both leather and fabric.

If you think there are better options than SRD feel free to throw those out as well.

Thanks Guys.

Also I know I haven't added anything about my preference on draw or other things, but I have no idea. Right now I have a unknown homemade strop and old vintage to learn technique but I don't think either offers much for me to tell what I like.

Welcome aboard Erik.
You stated that you are new to straights, so I would not worry at this moment about "draw" or which strops are better than the ones you saw at SRD. Any of the strops at SRD will fit the bill, get the job done quite well, at this stage of your journey. Buy one that you can afford, read as much as you can on SRP about stropping, practice your shaving technique & the world of wetshaving will start to fall into place for you.

Next time, post pics of the equipment you have & members here may be able to give you some tips on their use.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Welcome aboard Erik.
You stated that you are new to straights, so I would not worry at this moment about "draw" or which strops are better than the ones you saw at SRD. Any of the strops at SRD will fit the bill, get the job done quite well, at this stage of your journey. Buy one that you can afford, read as much as you can on SRP about stropping, practice your shaving technique & the world of wetshaving will start to fall into place for you.

Next time, post pics of the equipment you have & members here may be able to give you some tips on their use.

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Thank you for the reply.

I know that technique is the most important thing as this point and this might be equal to making my first post "what aftershave is best for me to use", but I still wonder what makes the leathers different. Any of the SRD strops seem within a reasonable price range for what I am looking for, but I would like to know what you would get a coworker, son, or nephew if you were to gift them their first real strop. What make the II differ from the IV and the English brindle ect. Or what is the difference and between the 2nd strop options (webbing or pressed fabric, ect).

Well Erik, you've asked enough questions in that post to last me a year in response,,,:D,,,but I'm not the person to ask when it comes to strop critique,,,,I would get as much as I could afford if it were a gift,,,,,meaning get the most out of your first investment,,,,if you like two different strops, but there is a $20.00 difference, get the cheaper one, as the savings on the strop could get a bottle of aftershave, puck of soap & a bottle of witch hazel,,,,see what I mean?

Use the "Advanced Search" button, upper right,,not the GOOGLE search box,,,enter into keywords the subject that interests you, this will produce the threads that discuss that issue,,,it's better than waiting for a post by post response & you will learn more & it will provide photos in the thread.

Everybody enjoys a different aftershave, that the fun of it, the choices we have.

Here is an article from straight razor magazine that gives lots of info on SRD strops: Straight Razor Magazine: Review: Straight Razor Designs - The full strop line
I'm not all that familiar with their razor/strop sets, but I'm sure that you can get them with a variety of strops. As Hirlau suggests, price can come into play, especially since most of us have managed to nick or cut our first strop while learning the technique (you'll also notice that their strops are made in such a way that you can buy replacement components instead of a whole new strop if this happens). That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to start out with a sub-par strop, but it is something to consider when buying your first one. Of course, YMMV, but I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the SRD strops.

I'm a beginner as well. Been at it for a few weeks and just got a full kit from SRD. I was also going to recommend reading that article from straight razor magazine as it helped me make my decision. Granted, my preference in draw was not based on much experience. My thinking was that more draw might make it easier to tell when both spine and edge were contacting the strop correctly. I didn't, however, want the extreme draw they claim the latigos develop, so I decided on the premium II. Like MBR said, you probably can't go wrong with any of them. I got what looked good to me and what I thought would feel good to me. I've gotten to use it a couple times and I love it so far.

Vintage Blades has very nice strops: http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsho...me.php?cat=102

They also put together good kits--good prices and products.

As far as Straight Razor Magazine, I won't dispute the information, but I have never put much faith in any review site that keeps its authors anonymous. I think it raises way too many questions of fairness, honesty, and balance. But that's just me.

We'll I would put in a vote for the SRD modular paddle strop. I personally use one and beleive it is a good place to start for the following reasons.

1) This being your first strop you WILL nick it up. There is no shame in it, we all have done it.
2) A paddle strop eliminates one of the variables while learning. You do not have to worry about maintaining tension.
3) The modular nature allows you to switch the pads out for use of pastes and sprays in the future (if you so choose).

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Originally Posted by MBR1965

Here is an article from straight razor magazine that gives lots of info on SRD strops: Straight Razor Magazine: Review: Straight Razor Designs - The full strop line
I'm not all that familiar with their razor/strop sets, but I'm sure that you can get them with a variety of strops. As Hirlau suggests, price can come into play, especially since most of us have managed to nick or cut our first strop while learning the technique (you'll also notice that their strops are made in such a way that you can buy replacement components instead of a whole new strop if this happens). That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to start out with a sub-par strop, but it is something to consider when buying your first one. Of course, YMMV, but I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the SRD strops.

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Thanks you! I found this article last night after trying several keywords in google I hadn't before. This is exactly what I was looking for though. Not perfect, but the only collection I could find comparing them all. I am thinking of getting the Premium I first and then picking up a replacement Roo on my next order. I am still considering the English brindle though, as everyone seems to talk about it a lot. I would love to try the paddle strops as mentioned above but it doesn't look like he has a razor/strop kit with it included.

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Originally Posted by ErikJ

I would love to try the paddle strops as mentioned above but it doesn't look like he has a razor/strop kit with it included.

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You should try to contact Lynn either through the SRD website or PM him here to ask about putting that combo together. You'll never know until you ask, and it's worth asking if that's what you really want. Taking away the variable of strop tension I think would be pretty helpful; if I could go back in time, I think I would pretty seriously consider this. Of course, if you end up getting one of the hanging strops, you can always just lay it across a counter or table to achieve the same effect. Still, it's worth asking Lynn if you could get a paddle strop in the combo. Good luck!

I really wanted to get the modular paddle and did email SRD about upgrading to one in a kit. The reply I got was that it was not available as an upgrade. I didn't think of sending Lynn a PM, but I assume he would give the same answer. Might be worth a try if that's really what you want. I started with the poor mans strop from whipped dog and had to lay it on a table. However, with the 3" it is much easier. Not sure if I'd trade my premium II for the paddle now, but I definitely would have gotten it with my kit if I could have.

I hadn't even noticed the anonymous authorship of straight razor magazine. It doesn't change my opinion of the SRD strop review, but it did get me curious. If anyone cares, I looked at the "about" section of their site and this is what they say:

"Why is Straight Razor Magazine anonymous?

Many people contribute to the Straight Razor Magazine, but it speaks with a collective voice. Topics, issues, and opinions are discussed, often disputed, in regular online meetings that are open to all editors. Contributors often co-operate on articles, and some articles are heavily edited. The main reason for anonymity, however, is a belief that what is written is more important than who writes it."

Personally I have found the linen to be best and from the latigo and english bridle I got from SRD I prefer the bridle as I like less draw. I also have a roo strop that I like but this was home made so cant comment on tbe SRD roo strops.

It wouldn't matter much at this point, so go with a cheaper version. I have used many strops including several from SRD and I think I can tell a difference when I strop a razor on a cordovan shell or latigo, or russian leather, but the differences are not dramatic and with your experience they wouldn't be evident because they'd be obscured by far larger factors.

You will either end up preferring the draw of the leather you pick, or down the road if you get a chance to try something else you may prefer that. There isn't a way to know at this point, so no reason to be concerned at all.

Just pick something and be done with that part, then learn how to properly strop, make lather, shave with the razor, because those are far far more important than the specific leather material.

Don't worry about a package deal. The savings wasn't that much as I recall. The modular paddle strop is worth getting. In the long run you'll wind up with several SRs and strops.

Thanks guys. Again, I have been wet shaving for some time and only ask because I spent a lot of money on DEs and brushes before I learned the $50 a pop would have made me a lot happier if I get 2 instead of 10 and picked the right ones. I believe at this point I will get the Premium I, as it seems to be popular and I am sure I would pick it up sometime. I can replace the leather for something different later on. Also, I have been using the homemade hanging strop for some time and don't want to have to relearn what I have picked up already on a modular.

I would mention though that this would make a great sticky, if a experienced member wants to post a thread with more info, as I asked several people elsewhere and the best information I could find was that article. I am sure SRD is popular around here and a collection of information would be great.

Gents:

In my particular case I do believe that the SRD strops are real good. In my case I do have the Buffalo, Roo and the modular. All 3 works real nice. As a recommendation I think they should launch a real cordovan not painted as like others a real one in the strop option and in the modular. If they do it I will purchased. The reason for that it is that as a light strop those are perfect. But they are stupidly high priced. I know Lynn and Don can work on that and get one more cheaper than what you can found in the streets right now.

thanks
Kenneth