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This may be a silly question, but,, I'm looking to buy a new strop. And there's so many different kinds of strops. Like roo, english, horse hide, I think I saw buffalo. So my question is, is there a noticeable difference in the different strops, or is it just a personal preference?
I may be wrong but here is what I have learned thus far on my short straight razor journey.
If you think of strops like cars, everyone has their favorite but at the end of the day they all get you to your destination. Some will be fancier and nicer, some are the good ol' work trucks that always start no matter how you abuse them.
The different materials you mention have different draws (read resistance) to them and many have different "appearances" to them. Some are darker, some lighter, some stiffer etc etc.
At the end of the day, it's what you like and YMMV. From what I have heard, horsehide is the most durable of the materials, but others may have their opinions as well. (And no it's not a silly questions....that's why were are all here! I asked a BUNCH of silly questions)
Just my opinion, Get a cheap one if you are starting out. Then learn how to use it. It should be smooth and no blemishes and flexible. Handle or not does not matter, It should have a cloth component also of the same size and end.
Then, buy whatever you want.
Start with a lot of reading here:
Strops
Have fun!
~Richard
We all have our thoughts on a good first strop. I started with one that was mid range in price that had a replacement leather side available for when I nicked up the first one. It has worked well.
This isn't going to be my first strop, Just thinking of getting a new one to add to the collection. I just hear and see so many different strops was wondering if there was a big difference in performance.
They all do the same job. As in Fiveo's car analogy, they will get you to your desired destination.
Rezdog and Geezer gave good advice.
As you acquire different types of strops you will, in your mind at least, start to "think" one type of blade prefers a particular type of strop.
My big honkers from Bruno definitely like the SRD Latigo, which in effect, is the only strop you will ever need to quote RobinK.
My Dubl Duck likes a Kanayama while the C-Mon prefers a Neil Miller Shell Cordovan.
It is all how you feel about each blade and strop.
Getting there is the fun.
I'll go along with what the others said. They all do the same job no matter the critter it comes from. The difference is they way they look and feel while using which may cause you to use them in a slightly different fashion making you think one does a better job over another.
When you buy a fancy strop I think folks ascribe more magical qualities to it.
As Spendur said: critter doesn't matter. But draw does. I can strop all my razors on a stop with little draw, only for razors with a very tight pivot pin I like a heavy draw strop.
I have not seen anyone mention a pigskin strop. I have an Ashcraft's No. 50 Pigskin Strop. They were made in my home town, Portland IN. I bought it
many years ago, long before I started shaving with a straight razor. The more I use it the more I like it. I assume it must be fairly uncommon.
Pigskin is pretty tough stuff and doesn't lend itself to stropping without additional processing to smooth the leather and soften it up. I used to have one and it works as good as any others.
Interesting, I don't think I've ever seen pigskin. I'm in the market for a new strop. I only have one and it's all nicked up, so trying to get an idea of what to get.
I was wondering the same thing. I have only been using a straight razor for a few months and I purchased a Illinois strop 827 imperial Russia as my "practice strop". If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the few stops with the flesh side up. Didn't really know about this when I purchased. It not smooth and I'm thinking I might need to by something else. Does anyone know if this style is any good for a razor?
If your edge is still shave ready despite stropping every day, it's probably ok. Post a picture and see what the experts think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker76
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonshae
Here is a picture of the 827. Not trying to hijack this thread, but build on the original question. With all the different options of strops I want to find something effective without having 10 different strops. Curious for feedback on the 827.
When I stared out I bought a SRD modular and haven't used anything else. It enables you to interchange pads and the best thing is it is flat and hard. You don't have to worry about incorrectly holding the strop, or that there is to much play in it. You can also take it with you when traveling. I upgraded to the English leather pad and it works best for me.
I am not experienced enough to be taken seriously but of course I will offer an opinion (that's how people are). I bought one of the Illinois 827s when I first started (4 months ago).
After trying to use it I found that instead of having draw it had brakes. I had seen advice abought softening the leather up by applying a bit of neatsfoot oil. That caused the leather
to fall apart. So I went back to my old Ashcraft pigskin strop. Neatsfoot oil softened it up quite nicely. I continue to like it but I later ordered a three inch wide strop from SRD which
I also like. I have thrown away the 827.
I've got the 827, it's a great strop, especially with the Fine Linen backing coated with cerium oxide (or something like that). I bought mine from the Classic Edge, and Phil mentions that this is one of the strops that unless it has been treated by the factory, benefits from a dime sized dollop of Fromm's Strop Conditioner. I put some on when I got the strop, worked in nicely and softened the strop. Having said that, daily palm rubbing would work it in soon enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker76
I'm one of the members here who likes progressive stropping on occasion. Or even different strops for different type razors. I'll use the 827 primarily on big wedge type razors, good heavy draw, and finish up on my SRD 3" Roo strop, which has a very light draw.
The 827 is a great workhorse strop though, and the hard linen backing is something I go to quite frequently after a shave, before hitting the linen backing on my Kanayama strop or the felt backing on the 3" Roo strop.
In the end though, you only need one strop, and more importantly, excellent stropping technique, the rest becomes personal taste and style, or as we say here, YMMV.
Hope this helps.
I had the good fortune of attending the 2014 Kansas City meet. Hidestoart was there and let me try 7 different animal hides. I was already very happy with my horsehide strop, but it was very educational to get to try so many different leathers one right after another. Attending a meet is a very good way to try many different strops.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker76
I bought a vintage 827 because of my frustration with nicking and cutting more expensive strops. It works as good for me as any. I found a great deal on a new 827 and it performed the same. They do have a rougher surface. In my experience (if not ignorance), I get the same results with any strop, any razor, whether the surface is smooth or coarse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker76
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
Thanks for all the feedback on the 827 guys. It means a lot. I thought I had wasted my time buying the 827 as it is the only one flesh side up. I'm getting better results now as my technique improves. I have also found better results not pulling the strop too tight. It seems everyone here really likes the SRD strops, I was curious if anyone has ever compared them to the ones from Straight Razor Emporium?
Be assured this is an independent forum, but the original founder of SRP is an owner of SRD. That explains why some of the long-time members are familiar with SRD. There is a comfort level doing business with someone you know. We discuss and recommend other shaving suppliers as well, so definitely feel free to do so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker76
Doesn't look like you could go wrong with either strop.