Thread: Looking for a new strop.. I need suggestions!

For price and choice I'd have to say SRD. The quality is great and there is a range of leathers and linen/web/felt to choose from as well as size and hardware.

I decided to follow Phrank's advice & get the Illinois #827. A local SR shop had one in stock, so I placed my order with them. Thanks to everyone for their input!

Originally Posted by BiggsHoson

I decided to follow Phrank's advice & get the Illinois #827. A local SR shop had one in stock, so I placed my order with them. Thanks to everyone for their input!

Don't cut that thing any slack. Rub the leather briskly with the palm of your hand before use and strop away. Learn it well. Go slow and methodically. You'll know when you can increase your speed. If you practice the strokes slowly long enough the mussel memory will simply be there and you'll be set. But, in the sake of caution, increase your speed little by little until you have learned.

Happy stropping.

Regards

Chasmo

Originally Posted by BiggsHoson

I decided to follow Phrank's advice & get the Illinois #827. A local SR shop had one in stock, so I placed my order with them. Thanks to everyone for their input!

As I just said on another thread, Phil from the Classic Edge say's unless specified that it has already been treated, the #827 is one of the few strops that requires an initial treatment of Fromm Strop Condition. I did this, I mean we're talking about a dime sized amount, rubbed thoroughly into the strop, leave for 24 hours and you're done. I did this, and the strop is superb, now it's just hand rubbing.

This is what Phil said regarding this strop, I should add in his opinion​:

There is a fact that all Retailers selling Illinois Strops seem to not tell their clients about. ALL Illinois strops must be treated with a Fromm strop dressing in order to break the strop in correctly. Now not all strops need to be treated in this manner. English Bridle is ready to go out of the starting gate, and the German style Russian Leather like what you see from Dovo and Timor strops are also not needing this treatment. They are a lighter Tan looking leather that is Micro polished. Now if you buy a Illinois Russian Leather strop and treat it with the Fromm strop dressing, you will have a great strop with great results. This is about as close as you can come to a Vintage Style Barber Strop. You will also hear tips like lather up your strop with shaving soap and to use your brush. Please do not do this!!! 98% of the tips out there for strops are for bringing back old Vintage Strops. With this Russian Leather strop just give it one treatment and let it sit over night, then strop a razor and judge if you like the Feedback. If you don't feel you are getting enough, just treat it again until you feel the resistance you are looking for. Also remember a little goes a long way! Thanks so much for visiting our website and have a wonderful day! - See more at: Illinois Russian Leather Strop Co. #827

Funny you mention that - Phil & Classic Edge are the people I bought it from, and I caught that when buying the strop, so I grabbed the conditioner as well. Thanks for the input!

Hi guys, I've recently joined the forum

I'm thinking of moving up a notch and getting a new strop and as it happens have been looking at both SRD and Star Shaving. I am a bit confused about the different leathers and draw speeds at SRD. I like the look of all of them (think I am going to go with a 3", that much I have decided) but how do you choose between English Bridal, Roo etc? Any advice?

I only use one strop, and that strop is a Tony Miller.

Originally Posted by Jpshaver

Hi guys, I've recently joined the forum

I'm thinking of moving up a notch and getting a new strop and as it happens have been looking at both SRD and Star Shaving. I am a bit confused about the different leathers and draw speeds at SRD. I like the look of all of them (think I am going to go with a 3", that much I have decided) but how do you choose between English Bridal, Roo etc? Any advice?

I have two strops that I cherish, a Tony Miller and a Scrupleworks. I have gone the route of purchasing lower priced strops, pieces of leather and trading into older quality strops. If I had it all to do over and know what I know now I'd still purchase a Tony Miller and a Scrupleworks. Because I cannot truly decide which I like most I strop on one before the shave and on the other post shave. That's not to say that there are not others out there that are good or maybe even better. I'm simply saying that you won't be disappointed if you choose either the Old Number 2 from Mr. Miller or the Oil Tanned Horse hide from Scrupleworks.

Happy Strop Hunting

Chasmo

Glad you got something! I've looked into getting an Illinois strop also.
For those still reading that are looking for strops, I'll give my two cents on mine.
I've got an SRD English bridle, SRD modular paddle and Neil Miller unfinished English bridle with linen.
The paddle is fantastic for no hassle stropping, and the premium I leather breaks in nice (slick at first). Love the unfinished leather piece you get with it too.
The SRD English bridle is also a great strop- takes a little more practice to get tension right and as usual you should do a bit of an x stroke to account for any small cupping that may not be touching the blade. The white canvas/linen on the back just needs some breaking in.
Lastly the Neil Miller. The only thing that would make it a little easier for me is a handle, but I think I'll get used to it - I have to. Why? Cause man it's the best feeling leather. Like silk! Perfect draw and stays nice and flat under a little tension. The real linen is a thing of beauty also. This strop is no joke- just superb.
So long story short there's a use for all of them. For a beginner I like the paddle strop, and still use it myself. I'll carry that around the house and strop in front of the tv if I feel like it!

Hey i ordered from them not too long ago but I cant get any one to answer me. It's been 2 weeks and i haven't Received It yet. Do you know anything about them or anything that could help me?