Thread: Getting a Strop Handmade What Kind of leather

So I have a question. I am currently living inTurkey and there are multiple leather shops here that will basically make anything you want for pretty affordable prices. I am new to straight razor shaving and stropping but wanted to see about getting a strop handmade while I am here. What should I be looking for in a strop? Is 3" better? Should it be soft or harder leather? Thanks.

3" is better in my opinion, especially for a beginner. Smoother is better and different types of leather will give you a different feel as you strop. Draw is what they call it. I personally like no draw but this is just a matter of taste. Maybe you can take a razor to the different types of leather available and see how it feels if the maker has some scrape pieces laying around.

Smooth leather, type does not matter especially if you are learning, expect to cut and nick it. Have the leather made so it is replaceble and add a nylon weave strop to clean and practice on, Nylon is pretty tough to cut and will produce a nice edge for a novice, finer the weave the better.

3 inch strop is easier, but 2 in will work. Strop with lite pressure and keep the spine on the strop at all times.

Welcome to SRP. The 3" width has become popular in the past 10 years or so. Prior to that pro barbers used a 2 & 1/2" width as standard. Most pro barbers strops back in the old days were horse hide which has little draw. Cowhide, also known as Latigo, or variants such as English Bridle, has more draw. Nowadays they are making strops out of everything from Aardvarks to Zebras.

The important thing is to get 'top grain' so that you have that smooth surface. I found horse or the more exotic part of the horse 'shell', to be my favored material at the 2&1/2" width. For the second component I prefer linen, but there are alternatives in cotton, nylon, or other synthetics that work. If you can get the strops made cheaply enough get one of each.

Like a lot of things with this sport, until you try the various choices, whether it be with razor styles, brushes or strops, you won't really know what your favorite might be.

Originally Posted by puma

So I have a question. I am currently living inTurkey and there are multiple leather shops here that will basically make anything you want for pretty affordable prices. I am new to straight razor shaving and stropping but wanted to see about getting a strop handmade while I am here. What should I be looking for in a strop? Is 3" better? Should it be soft or harder leather? Thanks.

The 3" Strop is ideal for a beginner because it is wide enough to allow you to go back and forth rather than learn the more difficult X pattern.

I like all hides, but for a beginner it's easier to strop on a smooth surface. The coarse ones with a heavy draw are more likely to hang up and cut the material in my experience. You probably can't get kangaroo strops in Turkey, but they are the lightest and smoothest surface I've used.

Attached is a picture of the final product. It was made from horse leather and is 3" by "18

Would you please explain the rationale for the varied width please? Was it just to accommodate the hardware?

Really it was to make it thinner at the ends for the hardware. The guy would put any hardware I wanted on it but I already have some hooks in the bathroom to hold it on so I just chose the metal loops. I actually really like it and could always use it as a WWF belt if I ever stop stropping with it

I have been hoping to find a local leather shop that can do this kind of work, and that might sell me scraps for practice on. It looks like you got the same Gold Dollar razor I bought for my first. I wish you luck with it!

That will work, interesting design. I like it.

Use lite pressure, keep the spine on the strop at all times and stop before you flip.

Make sure your razor is truly shave ready.