Thread: What Kind of Strop?

Big fan of D-rings (or similar) myself. Also a hanging strop could be laid flat for learning. and Yes, a 2.5 is what i started on, and it really helped my X's and keeps me moving the blade around-even though it's not important for stropping it very well can be for touching up a blade, even if you never fully hone.

it's just leather and money, trade!

I have been looking at the Illinois Razor Strop Co. 827 Imperial Russia Leather Strop. I like the look of the stitched handles but a few of you have only mentioned the D-rings. Any reason? Although the look of the strop-it tensio loom is really cool and I think it would be fun to fiddle with to get it just right, I think a hanging strop for now and probably a paddle strop with pastes for later especially once I get into honing the razor myself.

Quakefire,
D-rings are a matter of preference. Some gentlemen prefer the standard handle. I prefer D-rings. The Illinois strops do not come with D-rings. They come with handles. One has no handle at all, but I don't remember the model number. By the way, the 827 is a good strop with a sort of matte finish on the leather. It does the job. The other famous Illinois strop is the No. 127. I have had both, but prefer the No. 127.

The biggest thing you need to be concerned about is cutting it. This happens a lot when you first start out.
I wouldn't spend too much right off the bat. You can practice on a leather belt, or even an old seatbelt.
If you have a Tandy leather by you, They have 3" wide cowhide used for belts. That's good too, especially if your handy, and can fashion something on the cheap.

With that being said, SRD's modular paddle strop has interchangeable pieces. If you cut one up badly, you can always replace it. SRD's premium 1 leather is awesome.

Good luck to you.

With stropping, practice makes perfect.Have mentored a couple newbs in my local,make them a cheap hanging strop.give them a razor with a total dead edge. show them how to strop,tell them, now go home and practice every day.
are more posts on this site about incorrect stropping than one can shake a stick at.
Stropping has to be learned,is Eye, hand and muscle memory,once you learn, you never forget, you will never cut your strop, you will not damage the blade edge.Is all very simple,take your time, go slow,practice and learn.Is just one facet of the sport,but somewhat important.

If there's a Lee Valley near you. They have a paddle strop for something like $35, as a beginner strop you won't have to be to worried about cutting it, and you won't be out much money when you want to get a nice strop after you get your technique down.

I love my strop from srd! I have a hanging kangaroo leather strop haven't experimented with many strops yet but it does it's job very well and if you do cut the leather replacements are available.

I've been using an SRD latigo strop for a little over a year now and still like the feel of it. For Xmas, I bought myself a 3" English bridle from Star shaving and have been trying to adjust to it. I definitely like the width, but I still have not gotten comfortable with the English bridle. The latigo I have has a very light draw to it, almost like glass, but huge bridle has a very heavy draw compared to the latigo and has been hard to get used to. I don't know if it will stay that way or lighten up a bit...I suppose time will tell.

Originally Posted by Quakefire

I have been looking at the Illinois Razor Strop Co. 827 Imperial Russia Leather Strop. I like the look of the stitched handles but a few of you have only mentioned the D-rings. Any reason? Although the look of the strop-it tensio loom is really cool and I think it would be fun to fiddle with to get it just right, I think a hanging strop for now and probably a paddle strop with pastes for later especially once I get into honing the razor myself.

I think I'm a fan of d rings as time goes on. My SRD. Strop has handles, but I always have found it more comfortable to hold it between the handle and the stop along the ring that holds the two together. The star shaving strop I got has d rings, and it just feels more natural for some reason.

I cut a piece of horsebutt leather to a width of 2 3/4 inches. That's a nice width to strop on if you think that 3" is too wide.