Thread: Twin Lipshaws a stroppers delight

As by now you probably know I am a huge Lipshaw Microtome strop advocate. For a tool that was made a long time ago to manually sharpen the medical blades that used to take tissue samples in the medical field, they since found new homes in the dens of avid straight razor users. There versatility can't be beat. I owned two Lipshaws, one upstairs for my daily stropping, and one down in my basement workshop. However I was wanting a third Lip. for the workshop area. To use as a platform for my normal progressive stropping campaign. The double sided units that flip over with a flick of a lever is ideal.
Several weeks ago on the Bay was my white whale. It was a Lipshaw that was in excellent shape on an open auction starting bid $40.00 These units are rare, expensive, and usually found in the worst shape possible.
I called the only other Lipshaw fanatic that could ruin my chance at this prize. Sharptonn. Tom was the genius who showed me the light regarding these treasures. And has enough Lipshaws as well to be able to stack them like cord wood. Told him to lay off this unit, I'm all over it. 6 days of waiting for the action to end was tense. Since my opening bid of $40.00 Tom made it his mission to screw with me, telling me he's gonna run me up since he knew my max bid. and its only 40 dollars after all. Har!!!
Success!!!! I won the unit for $40 dollars. Now how will I use such a unit? The workshop Lip. was mounted on a aluminum plate and a dual pillar I fabricated at work. I figure if I make another aluminum base for this new unit, and turn both units 90 degrees each unit could rest on its own pillar.
Enter Neil Miller.
Neil makes the best replacement leathers for Lipshaws for years now. Tom had the foresight to commission Neil in making the first replacement panels, and without him there would be no proper working Lipshaws.
Tom sent me an email during this auction with a photo of multiple Lipshaw panels he just received from Neil. I think my exact words were " Now that made me sit up and take notice". Tom being the truest of friends, sent me, A Red English Bridle panel and a new creation of Neil's a Russian tanned calf panel that has a textured finish to resemble the properties of the original rubberized diamond patterned panel of the Lipshaw. The stars were in line thru this whole third Lipshaw.

Thanks to my brothers Thomas & Neil. You both are the best of friends. And on a side note Neil, you are a genius and a true craftsmen. Your leather strops have no equal. THATS A FACT!!!!!

Here is the final outcome. A stropping paradise, considering it's located in a basement.
Double Barreled Lipshaws Har!!!
Thanks for looking,
Darl (Tarkus)