Thread: Comparison of the various leathers sold by SRD

I really like my Illinois #827, after it broke in and stopped shedding, it really is a great all around strop. The impregnated linen with the cerium oxide really puts a nice touch on the blade. It's a strop with an already treated linen side, and it really contributes to an very fine shaving experience. Couple that with the nice medium to heavy draw of the strop, and this routine with this strop has consistently produced excellent edges for me.

I've ordered the legendary SRD 3" Roo strop, with the coarse linen backing, and will see if the use of this compliments and enhances the edges on my blades. I figure changing things up with the blades should only be good for them, different strops will obviously affect blades differently, or so in theory it goes, so am looking forward to see how the Roo leather and the coarse linen addition I added on impacts the edges.

Yeah, i didn't like my 827, i pasted it. Hadn't really used the linen as I didn't know what abrasive was pre-loaded onto it. Really trying to learn the rocks right now without a lot of confusion from pastes/sprays.

And but i don't consider that one an SRD leather.

Sounds like P1 or Roo are the least draws of the information presented so far. Thanks, keep 'em coming.

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Yeah, i didn't like my 827, i pasted it. Hadn't really used the linen as I didn't know what abrasive was pre-loaded onto it. Really trying to learn the rocks right now without a lot of confusion from pastes/sprays.

And but i don't consider that one an SRD leather.

Sounds like P1 or Roo are the least draws of the information presented so far. Thanks, keep 'em coming.

As you know, I'm a huge fan of the #827, was my third strop and it is heads and tails above the other two. Valery, the craftsman who does all my blades and honing, got a SRD Roo strop awhile ago and raves about it...say's it a superb strop, and this dude knows blades.

So, I'm interested to see how the Roo strop does, to see if it augments / enhances my blades. Of course going to take two blades, both TI's that are similar, and use one expressly on the #827 and the other on the Roo and see if I can tell a difference...which I'm sure I won't be able to tell. As Valery told me, he used to strop his blades on his leather belt, and that was just fine...reminds me occasionally not to over think this whole shaving thing....

FYI, here is a link to an article that discusses SRD strops at length, with a chart illustrating differences in draw: Straight Razor Magazine: Review: Straight Razor Designs - The full strop line

Originally Posted by MBR1965

FYI, here is a link to an article that discusses SRD strops at length, with a chart illustrating differences in draw: Straight Razor Magazine: Review: Straight Razor Designs - The full strop line

Now that's a big help. NOW i see that they USED to sell a "Premium Horsehide" (8th leather). Maybe now this information will be easier to find. I had bumped into the "magazine" some while back but i forget what i was looking at...could has been strops-but until you get one, you can't know the suitability to your hand.

I currently have the SRD Latigo. I'm interested in getting a new strop and putting paste on the fabric side of the Latigo. For a while I've been considering the SRD English Bridle; however, I've noticed several members mention that the Premium 1 is really nice. Does anybody have both the P1 and PIV and if so, which is your favorite?

I have 3 leather strops. an Illinois 206 Horsey, a SRD red latigo, and lately a SRD premium I. I used the small, old horsehide for a long time and never knew any different. It's draw is quite light, the surface hard and somewhat slick. I'm glad I learned on it. Being small, it was more challenging. The drawback was that my next was the red Latigo, and my muscle memory caused me to make mistakes and I nicked the HELL out of the Latigo. I love the thick draw but it's like swashing through molasses after that horsehide! Now I'm using the premium I almost exclusively. It's a nice middle-point and I love it. SRD just makes good strops...period. Enjoy the exploration. Follow your guts. For me, the straight razor passion is all about the many different flavors and combinations that occur and are possible. Happy Shaving! (and stropping, and everything else gents!)

Originally Posted by Phrank

As you know, I'm a huge fan of the #827, was my third strop and it is heads and tails above the other two. Valery, the craftsman who does all my blades and honing, got a SRD Roo strop awhile ago and raves about it...say's it a superb strop, and this dude knows blades.

So, I'm interested to see how the Roo strop does, to see if it augments / enhances my blades. Of course going to take two blades, both TI's that are similar, and use one expressly on the #827 and the other on the Roo and see if I can tell a difference...which I'm sure I won't be able to tell. As Valery told me, he used to strop his blades on his leather belt, and that was just fine...reminds me occasionally not to over think this whole shaving thing....

Val's work is gorgeous. I follow his Insta pretty religiously.

Originally Posted by ColdComfort

Val's work is gorgeous. I follow his Insta pretty religiously.

Valery is a great guy, have met with him several times for coffee, he's a real artist both in design, restoration, and he really knows his stones. He's always put a real great edge on my blades, and when I asked him about a blade he'd recently restored, and how it seemed to give one of the better shaves, he reminded me that is was probably due to the new Escher finishing stone he has! I'd seen when he got that, to forget about it, and then actually feel the difference was quite the lesson!

He's why I decided to give the Roo strop a try, I figure it will be a compliment to the Illinois #827, which IMO, is an all around fantastic strop, from the cerium oxide impregnated fine linen side, to the Russian leather that provides a draw that gives great feedback, my blades have never been better since I started using it.

Well kind Sirs, Ron just got back with me and suggests that the P2 has possibly the least draw of the SRD line-up.

Anybody use the P2?

You should feel an 8/8 on the Latigo...like stropping a hatchet (on molasses).