Thread: Found a handy cloth strop substitute!

So, when I purchased all my original equipment, I had to go cheap and ended up with some stuff that didn't fulfill all my needs. Because of the low quality steel in my razor, it is dulling quickly, and isn't getting as sharp as I want it. Additionally, the strop is only leather, making it even more difficult to keep a keen edge. However, after doing some reading about good materials to strop on, I realized that I have a great pair of work pants that will do the trick! They are the Firehose Work Pants from Duluth Trading. They are made of 11.5 Oz canvas, supposedly the same that is used to sleeve a fire hose (hence, the name). I found a length of 1X4 in a closet, and proceeded to make do. It isn't a great solution, but the width of the board makes it much easier to use while holding the material stable. Since I am still a newbie, I took it slow (but not too slow, per the stropping tutorials), and found I could really feel when my technique was starting to fail. If the pants weren't so damn durable, I may have had an old pair I could cut up and make a pasted strop with. I am hopping this can help get a good edge before moving to the leather for the polish portion. What are your thoughts on this method?

I have done the same thing with Levi denim. Go for it

All kind of surfaces that work as the other than leather surface. Newspaper, felt, denim, nappy leather and the palm of your hand. If it is working for you you've solved the problem.

I will find out soon how well it worked. Because my Zen Art demands to take it's time when I shave, I usually do it at night after a hot shower and unwinding from work, or defrosting, depending on the job!