Thread: So...my strop came in.

My strop and barber hone came in. I grant you its a cheaper one from Scalpmaster 23-1/2" horsehide 'barber strop' with some sort of white fabric on the back. Just pulled it out of the package. Will this do the job? I'm going to rewatch some stropping videos to make sure I do it right the first time. Comments?

A strop does not need to be anything particularly special to work well as a strop. The largest factor is going to be that the leather surface needs to be ultra smooth. To over simplify the process they take a piece of tanned leather and mill the surface to make it smooth without take off the epidermis completely, just thinning it. If it is smooth and free of wrinkle it will do the job. Some need a little time on them to get the surface as smooth as they can be. It will likely be ok.

That's good. I bought a barber hone and it's my first time attempting to hone. I tried it a bit and its sharp enough to cut hairs off my arm but, its not sharp enough to cut whiskers yet. Its been a long day and I don't want to screw the pooch (tired, long day) so, I put the hone down for the night and am gonna make dinner and enjoy some whiskey.

Barber hones are not for resharpening a razor but maintaining a sharp razor. You should start with a pro hone job.

Does the barber hone have a stamp, label, or imprint? If so, what is the name on it?

Barber hones are for maintenance, but some can be used even for bevel setting. However, this would be not be as easy for a beginner.

Give that boy a major palm job. Will help big time.

The crease makes it look like it was folded in half. Could be a bump in the road for the razor.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

The crease makes it look like it was folded in half. Could be a bump in the road for the razor.

I had a similar problem with my first strop. Totally fubarred my situation... Crease no good. Maybe... just maybe it can be rubbed out. No pun intended.

yea, that crease (if thats what it is) can spell real trouble ahead. You need to get it out of there.

Your new strop looks good. Creases are not a problem, and will not damage your razor. Smoother is better, of course so if the creases don't smooth out by simply hanging the strop and using it, a little rubbing with a glass bottle while it's laying on a table top should smoothe it right out.