Thread: 2" vs. 3" strop...

I've used 2 different srd 3" strops and I can't get the feel for the width. I learned on a 2" and my preference is between 2 and 2 1/2". I feel like I have more control over my pressure and where is making contact with the strop.

As others have said the x-stroke is important. Just stropping straight your blade will not always make contact along the whole edge.

I cut myself a piece of horse butt at 2 3/4 inch width just to see how it would perform. A quarter inch doesn't sound like much but I can notice the difference. Normally I use 3 inch English bridle or 3 inch steer hide as the mood dictates. 2 3/4 inch is only a slight change of pace. I have about 15 strops so choice is a luxury most days.

I just switched to a 3" SRD strop this week and it made a noticeable difference in my shaves. I wasn't getting enough stropping on the toe with the 2" wide. That does come back on me as not doing the X strokes properly, but it is a lot easier for me with the 3" strop. I'll probably go back and try the 2" again next week to see if my technique is any better, but I think the 2" is going to be turned into a bench strop for my carving chisels.

Started with a 3 inch strop and later got a vintage narrower strop to try. Used the vintage strop twice and that just re-enforced why I had gone with the 3 inch in the first place. It was just easier to use the 3 inch for me.

Bob

Originally Posted by earcutter

This .

I have both, but there is no question in my mind that the 3" is easier.

I also have both 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch strops. I agree...the 3 inch is easier overall

Why not consider a paddle strop? They rule out the draw of a hanging strop thus more equal results.

I've got a number of 3" strops, but once I got a 2 1/2", I never looked back. But, we're all individuals...

I think my current slice of horse butt is now down to about 2 inches or just over. When I started, I only wanted 3" strops, but 2 is less problematic when a razor isn't perfectly straight, and it doesn't cup.

my desire for sharpening stones for tools has undergone a parallel change. I used to like wide stones so that I could put tools in a sharpening guide and sharpen them all at once. However, a stone that is more easily worked laterally (like a typical vintage 2x8 stone) stays complimentary to the tools and knives used on the stone with less intervention.

Like some of us, I guess I've been shaving long enough now that I'll change from the 2" strop back to something wider the day it doesn't seem to do the job well. I have my daily shaver razor, and it's dead straight, so I could go either way.

I started with a vintage 'Scorcher' which was about 2 1/4" wide - this is about the size of most vintage strops. I have used 3" strops, but for me the ideal is 2 1/2 inches. I test each leather suppliers leather for about 6 months before making strops from it, so I always have half a dozen or so 'prototypes' hanging from my workbench, all of which are 2 1/2" wide.

I also have my first prototype paddle under the bench, but only use it occasionally. It was fully tested long ago, and there are always new hanging strops to test...!

Regards,
Neil

I have both 2-1/2 and 3". Never tried anything narrower. I probably could have gotten used to it if I had. Actually I learned on 2-1/2 and went to 3" later. I routinely use 2-1/2". Just found myself more comfortable with that.

I suspect the 3" would be easier in that, while you are beginning, you don't have to do the X stroke if you prefer the straight up and down. I know when I was an ironworker, years ago, it sure seemed easier to walk a 6" beam than a 4" beam. When you come right down to it one was probably the same as the other, but perception is everything.