Hi, there is a lot, I mean a lot of ideas and posts about which one is better and why. .. In the army we call it KISS (keep it simple stupid) obviously the stupid in this scenario is me, so I need a quick answer what strop to buy :)
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Hi, there is a lot, I mean a lot of ideas and posts about which one is better and why. .. In the army we call it KISS (keep it simple stupid) obviously the stupid in this scenario is me, so I need a quick answer what strop to buy :)
The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company great handmade strop.. But my big question is what are u planning on using the strop for touch ups with paste or just a everyday strop?? If your gonna use it just for everyday stropping the tony miller can't b beat IMO but for touch ups etc.. Srd modular
SRD Modular. Have one; love it. It's that simple!
For first strop go a cheaper or replaceable one to learn on first then upgrade when the skills have been obtained if you want
I have a Star Shaving 3" big daddy English Bridle - cheaper, full size, not so costly to replace if cut etc & yes I have nicked it many times in the first 6 months with different blades
now no cuts or scratches for 6 months so am contemplating a new strop maybe but it is still a great strop for the money
I like the paddle strop because everything is replaceable at a reasonable cost. That said though, every strop component SRD sells, is replaceable.
Most people forget that part. I don't know if other vendors sell components separately or not for their strops, but I love the idea. I wish I had known that when I started out. I just replaced the whole thing after I sliced mine up lol.
You want to keep it simple? ,,,then get a Neil Miller Shell Cordovan,,,Why,,,, because it's simply beautiful,,,,:shrug: ;)
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Sergeant,,,here is a tip for you,,,when you are looking for equipment,, keep an eye on our "Classified" section. Many items come & go daily. There is even a nice strop in there as we speak, at a great price. If you want a specific item, then there is a section in there, that you can state what you are looking for & even a trade section.
Amen to that ,,,,,,
Any strop you like; they all work well.
the Star shaving strops also have all replaceable components leather felt etc
You want simple? Use your leather trousers belt. I never have but my son uses his and has used it for more than a year with no problems...
If you want to refresh you would need to use an abrasive either paste on the back of the strop or a hone
Or if you go to the beach wearing your leather belt it might pick up some abrasive. :p
Ain't gonna touch that one,,,,:rofl2:
I owned only Tony Miller strops for over 6 years...3 of them, two hanging and one 4 sided pasted paddle...still have 2 of them and I consider them to be superb. WITH THAT SAID..... my latest strop purchase within the last two months was a Kanayama #3 and it is pretty much all I ever use since receiving it. I love..love...LOVE it. I sold one of the TM's but will always keep my original circa 2007 Tony Miller, but I keep it for sentimental reasons only. The Kanayama is what I would recommend to any person who wants a luxury minimalist strop. The #3 comes with a suede component that I enjoy as well. I can't guarantee it effects the edge like a cloth/linen component but it sure seems to warm up the edge for the fine finishing of the shell.
I've had a ton of different strops, including a Kanayama (Llama brand) and to this date I keep two around. A Tony Miller and a SRD modular strop.
Don't have any plans on ever buying another.
It's all about what you want to spend.
Cheap: old leather belt (FREE! If you steal it.)
Good: SRD Premium IV English Bridle (my daily use strop, $84.99)
Better: Kanayama #3 Cordovan (A LOT of bang for the buck, $104, plus $32 if you want to add a linen third componant)
Best: Kanayama 90K ($304), Neil Miller Cordovan ($307)
Understand that at the "Best" level, you are paying for an heirloom, not just a strop.
Unless you're loaded (when I was an E-5 I was not...), my recommendation: the SRD Premium IV. Good strop, good linen, all parts replaceable (so after you nick the hell out of it learning how to strop you can replace the strop surface at a minimal cost.) Also, you can easily loosely roll the strop for stowage. As an old 11B myself, I'm all about lighter and tighter. But then again, how bright can I be, I asked for Infantry...
Man this is getting better by the minute. .. great write and even better interaction. .. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. .. believe me it means a lot to me. .. Thanks to your services vets u still lead the way. You guys rock.
Congrats SSGT! Don't spend it all in one place (lol). You definitely deserve to spend a little bit of that Fat Government Pay Check (:roflmao) on a nice strop! Hell, I authorize you to do it specifically from my tax dollars ;) call it a gift!
And Thanks for doing your bit, don't let any of us old farts BS you about how easy you got it. I know how much time you AD guys are spending on the line. A kid I know (Combat Engineer) was deployed for about 400 days. His squad ran almost 300 patrols.
Well gents... I did it, I pulled the trigger. .. SRD module paddle. Fine leather, 2 felt , leather scrub and a bottle of. 5 Dimond spray. .. Thank you everyone. Now the hunt for a brush. Leaving toward the Simpson Duke 3, thoughts? If yougot an old one and want to sell, please keep me in mind.
Congrats on the strop, you'll love it. As far as brushes, I like the cheaper boar types.
Are you a face latherer or a bowl latherer? Do you like very soft or more "scritchy" brushes? What would you like to spend, Duke 3 money? Do you like a bigger brush? Is "store-ability" a concern?
see you already lost me! I never shaved with SR yet, I'm just putting the gear together now... I bought a Puck of soap, so I'll be lathering in the puck itself, no bowels or face lather will be needed, I never used a brush before! I use one of these push foam cans...
A Semogue 620 is my favorite brush right along with a 830.
The 620 can be had for a bit over 20 bucks. I am a face latherer
Congratulations Sergeant. That paddle will do right by you. The .5 diamond and leather should enable you to keep a honed blade sharp for some time. Use the diamond sparingly, and focus on your leather as the primary.
It doesn't matter how or where you produce a lather - just so long as in the end, you produce lather :).
I have become rather lazy of late and face lather most days. One could argue that face lathering does the face more good... but for me, its just easier. In the winter I'll probably use my scuttle to get that lovely hot lather. What I don't do ever - is use a can.
entropy1049 is 100% right when he recommend you read the library.
It'll all come together - just make sure to have fun while you are at it. Its a long road between starting and complacency :).
Razor, Check
Brush, Check
Strop, Check
Soap, Check
Ok, this next question is the most important of them all, so please give me your undivided attention, cuz your answer could and will change the way my kids will remember me after I'm long gone!
a quick background!
as a kid I remember my uncle shaving while listening to the radio the same station on the same time every day!
so, what is your shaving ritual gents? I think mine will be johnny cash !
Occasionally Morrisey
I like listening to the blade working.
Johnny Cash is good all the time. Morrisey (well, The Smiths , anyway)-Timeless.
Razor feedback...?
My personal choice as well (unless I'm shaving with a wedge :) ). I listen to a lot of old crappy punk and hardcore and figure if I was listening to "Barroom Hero" or something I'd chop my own head off...
I will be home on the 26th, to meet my razor for the first time. .. I don't know if I told you guys I'm stationed in Fort Knox KY, how ever I'm in Fort Lee VA for now for school. Man I'm very excited. ... I'll see my wife and kid my razor and my 1911 kimber custom II my deployment gun. .. hell yeah
Sarg,
Which song? I was privileged to see Johnny and June in concert right before he retired. The Man in Black...an American Legend.
First shave and first song, gotta make sure your wife is with you. Making personal history dude, lock n load!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QR93m8USug
I won't back down... no I won't back down!