Ebay strops for beginners?

Ok so please excuse the total newbie questions I am about to ask. Im getting more an more confused with how to tell a good strop from junk. I am on a budget but also don't want to destroy a blade. Ive been looking on ebay at vintage strops an others. So many that its getting daunting. So my questions are.....

1. Is a strop a strop. Just different levels of leather an fancy?
2. Paddle or hanging for a total noob?
3. Are vintage strops ok to still use? An if so what should I look out for other than the obvious chunks missing in stropping area.

I know Ive been posting a lot of questions but want to start out right. As always thanks guys.

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Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

1. Is a strop a strop. Just different levels of leather an fancy?

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Nope, some leathers are of poor quality and would be bad for your razor.

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Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

2. Paddle or hanging for a total noob?

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Either is fine. You could put the hanging strop along the edge of the counter/table and it would be like a big paddle.

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Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

3. Are vintage strops ok to still use? An if so what should I look out for other than the obvious chunks missing in stropping area.

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Nope. If it's not stored right it may have embedded junk in the leather that would damage your razor. Rotten areas are another common occurrence.
I love vintage strops though, and have quite a few, but if you are trying to save money don't go this way. It is a gamble and the odds are not in your favor. May work out well, but more likely it won't.

1. Yes and no. A quality strop can be a simple as a strip of smooth leather with a hole in it to a multiple element fancy work of art. But then there are low to no quality strops that aren't worth the shipping.

2. Either because a hanging strop can be laid on a flat surface to improvise a paddle strop.

3. Buying vintage online the first consideration is return policy. You will often be judging an offering from just photos, and the reputation of the seller. Some damage can only be felt; stiff vs supple, and surface condition.

One of the better quality budget strops is whipped dogs poor mans strop kit. SRD also has good bang for the buck strops.

Jonathan

Rollin,
Gugi said it quite well and I agree. If you are a beginner, I suggest avoiding eBay for anything that has anything to do with the world of straight razor shaving, because you never know what you get. Vendors listed here at SRP should have what you want in a wide range of prices.

I can 2nd Jonathan's sentiment about SRD's strops... I have the 3" Black Latigo and love it.

As for budget minded strops (not that SRD's are that expensive), you might want to look at the Whipped Dog poor man's strop mentioned above, or the Big Daddy strop from Star Shaving. Also, Illinois Strop Co. strops can be had on Amazon for around $35 or so (they may be listed as Fromm razor strops, but the pictures all show an Illinois Strop Co.).

If it were me, any one of these would work, though I'd suggest the SRD strop, since you can buy replacement pieces for cheap... you'll most likely be nicking and cutting your strop as you learn the proper technique, so why not buy something that will last a long time and is serviceable to boot?

Great advice above,
the Illinois (Fromm) strops are fairly inexpensive and good strops as well.
I am partial to the #827 which was mid line in the price line up from them.

I have an Illinois original strop #827 that my barber gave me about 5 years ago and it has held up well, but now it is worn down slick, so I looked last night at the 3" SRP strops and I want to purchase a new one also, so many types , roo / bufallo , etc. now I am confused also as what type to purchase. I need Lynns or Gssixgun/ Glenns advise. I want it to last a long time !
MHW

Thanks all for the advice. I think when I make the purchase I will probably go with SRD latigo in 3''. They look great an I really like that they are serviceable with replacement parts. I did not notice that. Crouton thanks for the info on that. Again another newbie disaster avoided LOL. Thanks guys.

No problem, brother... Like I said, you'll pay ~$20-$30 more for the SRD strop, but the quality and performance are outstanding! I've had mine for somewhere around 9 months and it's just as supple as the day I got it. Don and Lynn are great in both their service and quality of products.

Trust me, you won't regret it!

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Originally Posted by mwnc252

I have an Illinois original strop #827 that my barber gave me about 5 years ago and it has held up well, but now it is worn down slick, so I looked last night at the 3" SRP strops and I want to purchase a new one also, so many types , roo / bufallo , etc. now I am confused also as what type to purchase. I need Lynns or Gssixgun/ Glenns advise. I want it to last a long time !
MHW

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Are you coming out to the meet?
There will be a number of strops to play with and your Illinois just needs a little attention if you wish to bring the heavier draw back.