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Hey SRP,
As of yesterday, I've abandoned the beard I'd been growing & now I'm in the mood to treat myself. I've decided for now that my budget is in the $100 dollar range. I'm looking for something wide, preferably a 2''1/2 to 3'' width.
Any ideas would be appreciated!
Three words: Straight Razor Designs
Most of their strops will fit your budget and are absolutely top notch. I have the 3" Black Latigo strop with handles. I was going back and forth between it and the 3" Big Daddy from Star Shaving. Once it showed up at my door (super fast, I might add), I was really wondering why I had such a hard time deciding.
Plus, since they are the ones who provide us this little corner of the internet to share, learn and bond with each other, you'd be supporting those who support you.
Just my $.02, but trust me, you won't regret it. :)
SRD has some really good strops, and right in your price range. I have two of them, the roo and the premium IV both are awesome and at 3" just the size you are looking for. the leather and fabric are also replaceable so if you decide you want to try a different leather or fabric, or possible cut yours, down the road you won't have to buy a whole new strop
I agree with the SRD location, but I suggest you look-at-and-buy one of their Modular Paddle strops.
- NO need to anchor it to a wall or doorframe.
- NO worry about how taut to pull it.
- NO need for additional strops.
It's compact, it's easily packable/portable, and it lets you choose on what/which surface(s) to work. It's an all-around winner!
Tony Miller at the Well Shaved Gentleman will treat you right with a strop you'll cherish.
Regards
Chasmo
You can't go wrong with a strop from SRD. Their modular paddle strop is great. Happy hunting! :)
I bought an SRD Roo strop a couple of weeks ago and love it. I would do it with your money too!
I will offer my experiences for you to take into account. Hope it helps.
I got my SRD hanging strop yesterday and like it. I got the premium I leather with the hard pressed wool back (if you get one of their hangers, be sure to upgrade the backing to HPW as it is well worth it). The prem I leather is a bit slicker than I thought it would be, but still has a nice light draw that I'm sure it will break in well.
The modular paddle strop is also a really good idea, I almost got one myself but my purpose was to replace my hanging strop this time and not my paddle. My next strop will for sure be the modular paddle...comes with a premium I leather, scrub leather, 2 pieces of the HPW and a bottle of .5 diamond spray. You'd spray the .5 diamond on one of the HPW pads for refreshing (normally diamond is a bit harsh but the HPW is supposed to mellow it out) and keep the other clean.
I've also had one of whipped dog's rich man strops, which is a decent strop, but for the little bit extra I like the SRD strop better. It came with the poly webbing backing, which works well. Not sure what kind of leather it is, but it's a similar colour to the SRD prem I leather, although it has a heavier draw. I also got a few replacement leathers from Larry, and the draw varied a bit. One piece had a pretty grabby, heavy draw, and one was lighter and more even.
I've got an SRD latigo 2" that I like and used for a good solid year. I also recently got an English bridle 3" from Star Shaving and that is one nice strop. Prices for the star shaving strops can't be beat either. Both are excellent, but if cost is an issue, I'd suggest the star shaving on. They have a few different models, and just like the SRD ones, you can replace leather, etc. if you nick it up.
I have 3 strops, and IMO, the Illinois #827 is the best strop I've used so far.
It's got a great draw, the linen is like a glass surface, it's impregnated with cerium oxide, really puts a nice edge on the blade, all round my keeper strop. And for approx $60, it's hard to beat....YMMV!
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!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggsHoson
Happy stropping.
Regards
Chasmo
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggsHoson
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpshaver
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?
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..Quote:
Originally Posted by Chasmo
+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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FranfC
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikekiM
Please let us know after you receive the strop from Torolf.
Thanks
Frank
can' t go wrong with Scrupleworks or Kanayama.
Which supplier are you speaking of?Quote:
Originally Posted by PnkFlyd81
I'll be sure to do that Frank. Tony's offering has the benefit of being modular as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by FranfC
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