Thread: Different kinds of strops question

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.