Thread: Is this a decent strop?

I have long since departed to making my own strops, but when I started, I also used the star strops. They would be my recommendation for a low-priced strop. I bought two other "strops" off of ebay before that that were really cheap, and they were so wrinkled that they weren't really even good enough for use with tools.....and it takes a pretty worthless piece of leather to be useless even for any aspect of tool sharpening.

You don't have to go big with star strops or any strops, I have gone backwards from wide strops to preferring a strop that is not wider than the razor (strops less wide than a razor don't cup).

Heed the advice, though, of folks here advising against the use of the very cheapest stuff out there, many of us have bought it and the only thing you get when you buy it is hope that it will be good while the strop is still in the mail. Once you get it, the hope is dashed.

Originally Posted by DaveW

I have long since departed to making my own strops, but when I started, I also used the star strops. They would be my recommendation for a low-priced strop. I bought two other "strops" off of ebay before that that were really cheap, and they were so wrinkled that they weren't really even good enough for use with tools.....and it takes a pretty worthless piece of leather to be useless even for any aspect of tool sharpening.

You don't have to go big with star strops or any strops, I have gone backwards from wide strops to preferring a strop that is not wider than the razor (strops less wide than a razor don't cup).

Heed the advice, though, of folks here advising against the use of the very cheapest stuff out there, many of us have bought it and the only thing you get when you buy it is hope that it will be good while the strop is still in the mail. Once you get it, the hope is dashed.

+1 , exactly why my last strop was a tony miller. right at the cnote mark but worth every penny. if I had to buy another one it would be a tm , imho no better for the money.

I already bought the strop from amazon by this point...and received it.

Heed the advice, though, of folks here advising against the use of the very cheapest stuff out there, many of us have bought it and the only thing you get when you buy it is hope that it will be good while the strop is still in the mail. Once you get it, the hope is dashed.

+1. The leather is so thin, i dont think it will last long with daily stropping. $20 more bucks is truly worth it to get a better one. I am shaking my head and kicking myself in the ***

My wife is from Wellsville. We fly in and out of Elmira quite often......nice area!

Thanks. The only problem is the cold/snow.

Thin leather doesn't necessarily mean a strop will fail. A Roo strop is very thin. When I got my Roo replacement piece to change leathers I thought they forgot to put it in the package. It's so thin that I thought it was a thick paper spacer used between the leather pieces. It's my go to strop now.

Thank you SirStropalot

That puts my mind at ease for this strop. I was worried i for sure got screwed.

Ive watched that video before. But at that time i was thinking more on "how" to strop than types of strops

Now that you have the strop make the best of it. I wouldn't goop it up with a bunch of treatments or pastes. I'd just hand rub it vigerously before use and strop away. Learn a light touch with the razor on the face as well as the strop and you won't have to hold that piece of leather so tightly. Then you'll really turn on to results. Ok, perhaps your cheapo won't perform as well as a Tony Miller, Scrupleworks or Neil Miller, as long as it works you won't feel like you have been taken by a scheister. Who knows, perhaps it will be a sleeper and do a fine stropping job.

Regards

Chasmo

Originally Posted by bongo

Yes, I have the Star Shaving "Big Daddy" 3" English Bridle Leather strop. Incredible value and great to use !!

I'm also looking for my first strop. In Lynn's video he suggests a 3 inch strop. I've already had people tell me that 3 1/4in is too wide and will soon be cupping???
How old is your strop and how is it holding up? I too am also seriously considering a strop from Star shaving.

Pete <:-}