Thread: Trying to buy another strop

Originally Posted by Rampa

Attachment 187467

That's a really cool looking coti...

I just added a Scrupleworks Oil Tanned Horween Horsehide to my current lot of SRD Latigo, Kanoyama Board Strop, Tony Miller Horsehide and some other lesser know strops.

I absolutely love the draw of my Tony Miller but I bought it second hand and while there are no nicks or cuts in the leather, the leather was stained by what I expect was the CrOx that was pasted to one side of the linen.. it just looked worn. I have been in discussions with Tony and as soon as his inventory of materials is replenished I will most certainly replace my current.. it's that nice. Sadly, it doesn't look like Tony will be working with horsehide anymore and I have no experience with the Steerhide, though I am willing to give it a try. Tony describes the draw as very similar to the horsehide. Now, the linen.. Oh! The linen is by far the most delicious I have used very soft with a wonderful 'zzziiiiiip' to it.

Having said that, I just took possession of a Scrupleworks Oil Tanned Horween Horsehide with barber ends. The craftsmanship is incredible. It's a piece of artwork. The hardware end is tooled burgundy leather as is the end cap on the linen. The draw has been described as 'magnetic' and I suppose that's a good term to use, though I just consider it light to medium draw on very thin, supple Horween Horsehide. The results have been be awesome and it's a joy to use. However, the linen component is no where near what Tony Miller uses. It is much heavier & stiffer, and almost industrial feeling. If it weren't bridged to the horsehide but the tooled caps, it would almost seem a mismatch to the leather component.

Having both of these to compare, and considering TM horsehide is on the unobtainable list, me feeling is that my holy grail strop would be comprised of the Scrupleworks Oil Tanned Horrsehide for the leather component and TM linen...

Thank you for your appreciament on my coti, it was a present for me more than 30 years ago from my old barber shop. I appreciate it because I don't need of other stones after this, it seems to have a very high grit and gives a very gentle and effective edge. Back to the topic: why TM doesn't use the horsehide anymore? what is the difference from the Horween horsehide and the Horween Shell Cordovan? I know the Shell Cordovan is more expensive, but is it more efficient?

Originally Posted by Druid

I find a strop to be the most highly individualized item in a shaver's kit, by far.

I've got most of the big name strops here. They are all serviceable, and most are well enough made. Neil Miller's workmanship is exemplary, and I personally favor his work, but there is more to it than that.
For myself, a strop is all about feel... And that is the quality that makes me like one over another, provided that one improves an edge as much as another. I love the feel, performance and suppleness of Neil's cordovan shell .. it's incomparable!

There is another maker that needs mention, however, and that is Torolf at Scrupleworks. I bought on a while back ... Vegetable Tanned horsehide and natural linen. Trimmed in embossed leather, it is a beautiful, hand made item. I've been using it exclusively for some time now as a test, until it is completely broken in. It is a wonder to strop on. The vegetable tanned horse is not as soft and supple as Neil's shell, but the draw is impeccable (for me), and the efficacy top notch. They are also made to one's own specs, and workmanship is top notch.

So, while I don't have a high grade Kanayama, I do have a #3. I replaced the suede second component with linen from Scrupleworks, and it's a nice strop, but IMO, a slight step down from Torolf and Neil Miller.

So, for me, to to top makers would be Neil Miller and Scrupleworks. But, everyone looks for different qualities in a strop, so, as always, your mileage may vary.

I am giving Scrupleworks a go. Been hearing alot of good things about the quality and personal service. But now after you give this brand credence I will give it a try.

Originally Posted by Rampa

......Back to the topic: why TM doesn't use the horsehide anymore? what is the difference from the Horween horsehide and the Horween Shell Cordovan? I know the Shell Cordovan is more expensive, but is it more efficient?

I'll paraphrase from the email exchange I had with Tony.. short story is the vendors he was using to supply horsehide weren't providing cosistent quality. He switched to steerhide which he is able to inspect before he buys.

As far as the difference between the two leathers, I don't know. What I can tell you is horsehide is incredible and the oil tanned Horween Horsehide is amazingly supple, smooth and a joy to strop on. If that makes a difference in the edge, I can't tell... but it sure makes the stropping experience sensory rich and romantic.

A real shell cordovan is very expensive, maybe too much money considering that a pair of cordovan shoes cost about 300 euro ($370), but making quality author shoes require a lot of skill and time, much more than making a good strop (in my opinion). So I can't understand why a well made horween shell cordovan strop cost from 150 to 300 euro. May be the strops require a better choice in che cordovan leather stocks? So I can understand that the "horsehide" is a different thing from the Shell Cordovan, it is cheaper, but how is working compared to the best Cordovan? Today I can say that my horsehide Scrupleworks is my best choice on my straight razors for the quality of the edges.

We have strayed from the OP question, but since others have posted pleasant experiences with various strops, I will chime in.
I have a new piece of horse hide given to me by Mrsell63 that is a joy to use.
It is fitted to the hardware of a junk strop I had (first buy when starting out), has no handle (like old timer strops), and is less than 3" which I have been using.
This is from a sheet of horse hide Jerry picked up, and was kind enough to share.
It has a beautiful stroke, draw, and feel. Plus, I think I like the 'less than' 3" width.
I doubt it will have collector's value, but it is a sweetheart piece of horse hinny.

I certainly like my Tony Miller 3" steerhide.

I am partial to Neil Miller strops. Top quality product!