Thread: SRD 3" premium fabric strop

I bought the 3" SRD premium fabric strop a couple of months ago. I was very surprised at how stiff the strop is. I don't remember watching a video of anyone using a strop that appeared this stiff. Is this normal? Does this material break it over time? If so, is there a way to speed up any break in? I think this strop is normally referred to as a "linen" strop. What I have been getting used to is a leather, kangaroo and webbing strop all of which are much softer. The performance of the strop is the most important thing of course. But for now I find using the premium fabric (linen?) strop completely uncomfortable. It's almost like I'm stropping on a brick. Due to this I haven't used it enough to determine how I like how it effects the razor edge. I have the .5 micron chromium oxide green crayon on it. Everyone seems to love this material so I'm sure I'm missing something. Please keep in mind I'm learning most of this stuff so I'm not experienced enough to realize most pros or cons of different materials.

Is the SRD premium fabric strop the same as a linen strop with a different name?

Will the stiffness go away in time and the strop become softer? Or is this stiffness the way it stays?

I appreciate any help.

Jack

Mine did soften with use. I think it does a fine job with the edge. I have webbing and wool for comparison. No complaints

It is definitely a stiffer product. It will loosen up over time, but not a whole lot. Hand rubbing it seems to help some. I use mine all the time after I come off the hones before the leather and with chromium oxide paste for refreshing. Personally, I am not fond of the sound it makes either. But, I can't argue with the results it produces which are always nice.

Have fun.

I bought one a while back and thought it was harsh mostly because of the stiffness and also the noise! I switched back to a Tony Miller fabric but soon realized the SRD fabric did a better job. Don't let the stiff & noise deter you. My question is ( Lynn) can I clean this fabric by washing it?

Originally Posted by cubancigar2000

I bought one a while back and thought it was harsh mostly because of the stiffness and also the noise! I switched back to a Tony Miller fabric but soon realized the SRD fabric did a better job. Don't let the stiff & noise deter you. My question is ( Lynn) can I clean this fabric by washing it?

I have by hand with a scrub brush and a small amount of laundry soap. Then I laid it flat to dry. It definitely softened it up. I have gotten so used to the stiffness at this point, that I haven't bothered to wash another one.

Ok, thx. I just washed both of mine and they seem like they will be just fine.

Thanks guys. I'll try washing mine to see if it softens up any. But if it is a material that by it's nature is stiffer I'll just need to get used to it. After using it and the webbing strop I have I'll determine the differences and which one I like better. I have two strops now. One rich man's strop from whippeddog.com and the roo strop from SRD (plus the linen SRD). So I think I have more than enough to get a good stropping job done. As soon as my ability is better I mean. So far I am keeping the new razor from SRD shaving good. Meaning I haven't destroyed the edge with my stropping. I think that's a good sign. Keeping that razor away from hones is my maintenance goal for that razor. I don't really know what you guys call "shave ready" and I'm not asking. It's probably one of those things you can't explain in print. The two razors I've been using have been giving me pretty good shaves. But the new Dovo gives a shave much smoother. I can get smooth shaves with the others but it takes more passes. Sometimes I need to shave the same spot 2 or 3 strokes where the Dovo takes the whiskers off with one stroke or pass. So, the razors I've been using have been shaving to my satisfaction. Knowing they weren't 100% shave ready that is. I just wonder what experienced people would think of the edge on them. Are they sharp enough to live with or are they dull enough to demand re-honing? Possibly questions that would get different answers from different people. I do think my honing and stropping keeps an edge sharper than the edge on the knife Crocodile Dundee used in that movie.

which strop? latino, etc.

The only way you'll know is to send one for a pro honing...pick a honing master from among those offering services from the forum...then compare that edge to your others. As far as the strop goes, I have the 3" SRD with roo and the premium fabric and love it. It does a great job, and I don't care what is sounds like

Originally Posted by Jack0458

Thanks guys. I'll try washing mine to see if it softens up any. But if it is a material that by it's nature is stiffer I'll just need to get used to it. After using it and the webbing strop I have I'll determine the differences and which one I like better. I have two strops now. One rich man's strop from whippeddog.com and the roo strop from SRD (plus the linen SRD). So I think I have more than enough to get a good stropping job done. As soon as my ability is better I mean. So far I am keeping the new razor from SRD shaving good. Meaning I haven't destroyed the edge with my stropping. I think that's a good sign. Keeping that razor away from hones is my maintenance goal for that razor. I don't really know what you guys call "shave ready" and I'm not asking. It's probably one of those things you can't explain in print. The two razors I've been using have been giving me pretty good shaves. But the new Dovo gives a shave much smoother. I can get smooth shaves with the others but it takes more passes. Sometimes I need to shave the same spot 2 or 3 strokes where the Dovo takes the whiskers off with one stroke or pass. So, the razors I've been using have been shaving to my satisfaction. Knowing they weren't 100% shave ready that is. I just wonder what experienced people would think of the edge on them. Are they sharp enough to live with or are they dull enough to demand re-honing? Possibly questions that would get different answers from different people. I do think my honing and stropping keeps an edge sharper than the edge on the knife Crocodile Dundee used in that movie.

Originally Posted by Jack0458

Thanks guys. I'll try washing mine to see if it softens up any. But if it is a material that by it's nature is stiffer I'll just need to get used to it. After using it and the webbing strop I have I'll determine the differences and which one I like better. I have two strops now. One rich man's strop from whippeddog.com and the roo strop from SRD (plus the linen SRD). So I think I have more than enough to get a good stropping job done. As soon as my ability is better I mean. So far I am keeping the new razor from SRD shaving good. Meaning I haven't destroyed the edge with my stropping. I think that's a good sign. Keeping that razor away from hones is my maintenance goal for that razor. I don't really know what you guys call "shave ready" and I'm not asking. It's probably one of those things you can't explain in print. The two razors I've been using have been giving me pretty good shaves. But the new Dovo gives a shave much smoother. I can get smooth shaves with the others but it takes more passes. Sometimes I need to shave the same spot 2 or 3 strokes where the Dovo takes the whiskers off with one stroke or pass. So, the razors I've been using have been shaving to my satisfaction. Knowing they weren't 100% shave ready that is. I just wonder what experienced people would think of the edge on them. Are they sharp enough to live with or are they dull enough to demand re-honing? Possibly questions that would get different answers from different people. I do think my honing and stropping keeps an edge sharper than the edge on the knife Crocodile Dundee used in that movie.

I hand washed mine with Dawn dish deterg and it is fantastic now. It really helped soften it up