Thread: Strops and Brushes- Aren't they all the same?

You're not buying shaving equipment, you're paying for an education.
It's not the smooth face that's cool, it's how we make it happen.
Welcome to the class!

Well if you want to start off with sinking a load of money into this for starters, I agree with the idea of getting one of the SRD sets.

As many have mentioned, strops are all different. Some are a heavy draw (like the SRD Latigo), some are a very fast draw (Bison MAde Horween leather). I'd stay away from any expensive strop to start off with as you will damage it while learning proper technique. You just will. Something with a heavy draw will slow you down a bit and you will more easily hear it when you are doing things right.

As far as brushes, no they are not at all the same. If they were, no one would be buying $200 brushes we'd all own 3 different $10 brushes. They vary from very scrubby to pillowy soft and everything in between.


Good luck on your journey and just take your time. Don't give up after a few poor shaves. It takes time but in the end it's well worth it as there is nothing more satisfying than a clean, smooth "proper" shave. And good heavens stay away from anything with a spiky toe (tip) for a while. Nicely rounded will help you make a successful transition.

Originally Posted by wingdo

Well if you want to start off with sinking a load of money into this for starters, I agree with the idea of getting one of the SRD sets.

As many have mentioned, strops are all different. Some are a heavy draw (like the SRD Latigo), some are a very fast draw (Bison MAde Horween leather). I'd stay away from any expensive strop to start off with as you will damage it while learning proper technique. You just will. Something with a heavy draw will slow you down a bit and you will more easily hear it when you are doing things right.

As far as brushes, no they are not at all the same. If they were, no one would be buying $200 brushes we'd all own 3 different $10 brushes. They vary from very scrubby to pillowy soft and everything in between.


Good luck on your journey and just take your time. Don't give up after a few poor shaves. It takes time but in the end it's well worth it as there is nothing more satisfying than a clean, smooth "proper" shave. And good heavens stay away from anything with a spiky toe (tip) for a while. Nicely rounded will help you make a successful transition.

Doug, I looked into the Bison Made Horween strop after we discussed it last night... Interesting piece. I'm not a fan of handles and it doesn't look like they make barbers ends, and I love my scrupleworks, but I am always interested in seeing what else is available.

Nothing is ever the same. They may look the same, and perform the same task, but rarely perform the same. Some folks feel they have to start with everything new, nothing wrong with that. Some start with vintage thinking to save a few bucks, or just because they love the history behind something old. I fall into the latter category, hence my Othello, Torrey, and W.H. Morley and Sons Clover.

Then the strops and brushes. The most expensive aren't always the best, IMO. The best brush I have is also the cheapest. It started rather stiff, but a little hot water and some of my wife's hair conditioner has produced a great lather producer. My expensive brush turned out to be a marshmallow. I started with an Illinois 835 strop and quickly nicked it up. Could never produce a good edge with it, but time and practice will tell. The strop that works very well for me is the one I got from gssixgun, a member and vendor here. The leather is mounted to a nice piece of Oak, and if you follow his instructions, works exceedingly well at producing a very clean, smooth edge. It's one of those things where starting at the beginning and a little trial and error, pays dividends with less money spent and more experience gained.

Good Luck and good shaving.

No they are not the same.
No you don't have to spend more.
YOU will have to learn to shave before you know whether or not the equipment choices are good for you . And then you will only know if you try something else. Yes then it will start to cost more :<0)

No strop or brush is ever the same. They all do the job some better than others i started with a shavette i bought in a pharmacy in the middle east as well my first brush. I wanted to see if i would even like the ritual that i now go through in the morning. A friend turned me onto s/r shaving but like i said i spent 3 dollars on a shavette after 2 months of that i bought a real s/r from SRD a Ralf Aust 5/8 round point. I now have two strops from SRD and four straights all from different makers now my wife questions my sanity. Now you have to try different creams and soaps which one will you like the most who knows. Hope this helps and maybe i did not ramble too much. Have a good time with your new hobby.

When starting out, it is good to get a good quality straight razor to start off with. A beginners strop and a decent brush. Everything costs money and a lot of these straight razor companies know that a beginner who is serious about this art form will be upgrading their equipment. Most offer a starter set. The reason they offer a starter set is that they know a person starting out doesn't need to spending a ton of money on something they might be "iffy" about keeping up. Better to walk away from a few dollars then a lot of dollars. They know a novice straight razor shaving will have problems at first. Not stropping correctly, maybe not keeping the blade oiled or dried after shaving. Always good to ask questions...... And as time goes by and a person gets better and more knowledgeable, they will invest in better equipment and other goodies.

Originally Posted by kkwk

No strop or brush is ever the same. They all do the job some better than others i started with a shavette i bought in a pharmacy in the middle east as well my first brush. I wanted to see if i would even like the ritual that i now go through in the morning. A friend turned me onto s/r shaving but like i said i spent 3 dollars on a shavette after 2 months of that i bought a real s/r from SRD a Ralf Aust 5/8 round point. I now have two strops from SRD and four straights all from different makers now my wife questions my sanity. Now you have to try different creams and soaps which one will you like the most who knows. Hope this helps and maybe i did not ramble too much. Have a good time with your new hobby.

god help to not fall in that spiral! I just wanted to shave in a nice, healthy, eco-friendly and old fashioned way! and I am building my second strop already! Troubles ahead...