2" vs. 3" strop...

When I ordered my first "set" from SRD, I really didn't know very much about straight razor shaving...still woefully behind the learning curve. So...just stropped my first one. I didn't know that the 2" strop would not be wide enough when I ordered my first set from SRD. Will the 3" strop be easier to use? Any recommendations? I have a package that will be coming in the next few days from Classic Edge and depending on the answers to this thread may add it to the order to save on shipping charges. Thanks!

WITH ANY STROP,you have to learn an X stroke, or a windshield wiper type stroke.
People will tell you, get a 3 in. strop and just go up and down, thats B.S,you need to learn the X stroke in order to get full coverage of the edge.
Strop width makes no diff.Ithink for most 2.5 in. is the sweetspot

I think the 3 inch strop overall is the easiest to use on a daily basis and the easiest to learn on.

Have fun.

I have both and they seem equally easy to use, but I like the 2 - 2.5 inch range. Some say that the wider strops tend to get mishapen, but my SRD and Neil Miller 3" are both still fine. Whatever size you get will be fine.

Yep, it took a long time to get me to switch from my 2 1/2 inch strops and a couple weeks to get used to the three inch. But that was a few years ago and I haven't regretted it once. I still try my 2 and 2 1/2's every now and then to make sure. I'm sure.......Lol!!

Have fun.

You'll get a lot of differing options on the strop width. I like the old school feel of the 2" strop with D-rings. I also feel learning the X-stroke is an important part of maintaining a proper edge on your straight razor. I own four strops: two from SRD that are 2" wide, one from Tony Miller that is 2-1/2 wide and one from eBay that is 3" wide. All good strops but I like my 2" wide the best.

3". If G-d had wanted us to use a narrower width, He wouldn't have had SRD make their Modular Paddle Strop.

Any size will work, with the proper stroke,and it is not straight up and down.

Several here have said it, but let me be clear...regardless of the width of the strop, learn and use an X-stroke. It will help you make sure you're stropping the whole blade.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lynn

I think the 3 inch strop overall is the easiest to use on a daily basis and the easiest to learn on.

Have fun.

---

This :).

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

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

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

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.

---

It was only recently that I learned to NOT hold the razor's spine perpendicular to the edge of the strop, and, instead, to keep it at a 30-45* angle, and "lead" with the heel. Doing so helps me keep much better blade-to-strop contact -- this is especially true (and necessary) on my Red Latigo strop, with its heavy draw (and with "wedgier" blades).

Its easier to learn on a 3 inch. Yes there is a place for 2 inch. That being said what is your current skill set? You stated that you already own a 2 inch, Why not give the 3 inch a try? You already know where you've been. look forward to where you want to be.Do field testing with your tools and skill set now. Then do a comparison of the differing widths,You can always go back to and practice x-strokes and what not at your learning curve. And if you have an opps with your 2 inch it wont hurt your feelings/wallet so bad.