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

Originally Posted by Chasmo

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

I agree with this entirely.. I have the Tony Miller Artisan Heirloom Horsehide and a Scrupleworks Horween Oil Tanned Horsehide.. totally different strops but I love the both. The Tony Miller is economical and is modular should you need to change/replace a component. The craftsmanship on the Scrupleworks is over the top and with the dollar as strong as it currently is against the Nok, it's a great time to purchase one. I just ordered a Swedish Bridal and a separate linen component to add to the collection..

+1 with MikieM,
I have a Kanayama #3, and 40K, very fast draw to the Cordovan Shell and the Hemp second component is very stiff but very effective, just needs a light hand on it to see it's potential. A wonderful strop if you like a smooth fast and light draw.

The Scrupleworks strops done by Torolf Mykelbust rival the best strops that I have ever used. The oil tanned Horween has the opposite draw as that from the Kanayama Cordovan, and is not only heavy by comparison but very smooth. The genuine Flax linen is the absolute best that I have come across and I find it a mandatory part of my honing process. It not only brings the HHT up but really adds a level of smooth and keen to the edge that just works for me. I have two custom strops on my way from him now, an extra long 2.5" oil tanned Horween with genuine Flax linen second and an extra long 2.5" genuine Flax linen single component strop to go with the next strop on my list.

This strop would be a Horween Cordovan Shell from Neil Miller, this is a strop that came to me via another member and was a single leather strop. The best single piece of leather that I have ever put a razor across. This strop has just the perfect draw and feel for me and it's performance is second to none. Neils strops are not inexpensive but in my opinion worth every cent.

The strong US dollar against the Nok make Torolf's strops the best value in a premium and or custom strop on the market today. His strops not only offer outstanding performance but the craftsmanship and beauty are simply outstanding.

The draw on Torolf''s Oil Tanned Horween Horsehide is hard to describe. I'll agree it is the antithesis of the Tony Miller horsehide and the Kanoyama Cordovan, both of which are extremely light and slick. I have since dispatched the Kanoyama as I was never able to connect with the super light draw. On the other hand, Torolf's oil tanned Horween is medium heavy. Not heavy like a Latigo; its both lighter and slicket. However it has a certain drag to it and Torolf's description of 'magnetic' is dead on.

As much as I love the scrupleworks leather, I dislike the second cotton component. Even after much use, it's stiff and loud, and I get the feeling I am doing more harm than good. Like FranfC notes about the hemp, a very light hand helps. And, given how it maintains an edge, I know it performs well, but like the Kanoyama, I can't connect emotionally with the cotton experience. My strop came from another member and Torolf's strops aren't modular, so I am stuck with cotton. This is why I chose to order the Swedish Bridal and linen components individually. I've heard great things about Torolf's linen and if it's anything like the linen on my Tony Miller, I think I'll like it much more.

Having gone down the inexpensive strop path before, and having experienced the Tony Miller and Scrupleworks I can say that there is a measurable difference in feel and results from the premium strops. I still haven't tried a Neil Miller..

Mike: I agree with your comments, it sounds like the cotton second on your Scrupleworks strop is allot like the hemp canvas on the Kanayama.

My first strop from Torolf came to me the same way, a 3" and I prefer a narrower strop so I sold that one and have ordered 2 custom strops instead.

If you haven't experienced the Scrupleworks Flax linen you are in for a very pleasant surprise, it is also about as different as you can get as opposed to the Kanayama Hemp.
It is very supple yet not thin and you are able to detect slight variances in pressure and angle very well. It has a light and positive draw that's a pleasure to strop on and as I stated earlier the feedback and performance is second to none that I have tried.

If you have a chance at a Neil Miller I strongly recommend trying his strops, they are wonderful.

Originally Posted by FranfC

Mike: I agree with your comments, it sounds like the cotton second on your Scrupleworks strop is allot like the hemp canvas on the Kanayama.

My first strop from Torolf came to me the same way, a 3" and I prefer a narrower strop so I sold that one and have ordered 2 custom strops instead.

If you haven't experienced the Scrupleworks Flax linen you are in for a very pleasant surprise, it is also about as different as you can get as opposed to the Kanayama Hemp.
It is very supple yet not thin and you are able to detect slight variances in pressure and angle very well. It has a light and positive draw that's a pleasure to strop on and as I stated earlier the feedback and performance is second to none that I have tried.

If you have a chance at a Neil Miller I strongly recommend trying his strops, they are wonderful.

All of my strops, with the exception of the SRD Latigo, are 2.5". That works perfect for me.

I am excited about the Scrupleworks linen component I ordered. I do have a Tony Miller linen and just love it. Hard to think it can be improved upon, but I am hopeful!

Originally Posted by MikekiM

All of my strops, with the exception of the SRD Latigo, are 2.5". That works perfect for me.

I am excited about the Scrupleworks linen component I ordered. I do have a Tony Miller linen and just love it. Hard to think it can be improved upon, but I am hopeful!

I would be very interested in your views about how the Tony Miller linen compares to Torolf's. I have heard from many who really like the Tony Miller linen as well as his strops in general, and his can be sourced stateside.
Please let us know after you receive the strop from Torolf.

Thanks
Frank

can' t go wrong with Scrupleworks or Kanayama.

Originally Posted by PnkFlyd81

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?

Which supplier are you speaking of?

Originally Posted by FranfC

I would be very interested in your views about how the Tony Miller linen compares to Torolf's. I have heard from many who really like the Tony Miller linen as well as his strops in general, and his can be sourced stateside.
Please let us know after you receive the strop from Torolf.

Thanks
Frank

I'll be sure to do that Frank. Tony's offering has the benefit of being modular as well.

I actually started my search a few months ago solely with the intent to update my Tony Miller. Alas, he no longer works with horsehide so I couldn't upgrade the leather and that led into the holiday rush so I lost momentum. My TM linen gets used as much, possibly more than the Scrupleworks cotton...

I've been using Neil Miller's cordovan now for about a year - the combo of his linen and the cordovan is great - not sure if they're still available though...

-john