Thread: Difference in draw between SRD Latigo and Illinois 127

Too many variables to be able to come to any conclusion about which is best. Its all about what's best for you. Any strop of sufficient quality will work. You would have a very hard time creating a test that wasn't subjective.

Its threads like these where I await the late Neil Miller's sage advice. Sad that enrichment has ceased.

I have 4 SRD strops- the natural, latigo, English bridle, and premium IV (?)
Out of those, the latigo has the heaviest draw by far. The other three are all about the same with a medium draw. I would recommend just spending a little more and getting a really nice strop, you won't regret it!!

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

I have 4 SRD strops- the natural, latigo, English bridle, and premium IV (?)

The premium IV and English bridle are the same strop. That leaves you having either the premium 1, 2 or 3

Buy a good strop for sure,with a quality strop the will all have the end result.
Draw is like love,nothing more than a feeling

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Too many variables to be able to come to any conclusion about which is best. Its all about what's best for you. Any strop of sufficient quality will work. You would have a very hard time creating a test that wasn't subjective.

If you are using the same razor with the same soap and the only difference is the strop over a course of three shaves each would be very quantifiable results. I myself am of the mindset that most wouldn't be able to tell definitively what strop was what.

I might even want to make it so only one person does all the stropping, that would take technique out of the equation also.

Im going to agree that its more than likely no one could put a razor to thier face in a blind test and say oh yeah that's a razor stropped on a kanayama oh and this one is definetely bridle etc. The act of shaving itself has its variables. I used one razor and one soap and the same strop on vacation for two weeks. I had some shaves I enjoyed more than others. Why because I am human and sometimes perceive things differently when they should be the same, not to mention my temperament for that moment in time and whether or not my technique was spot on etc. All the shaving I did got the desired result more or less equally but can feel different in execution. Thats all im trying to say i think its a hard thing to quantify.

So back on subject then:
With so many people that say you couldn't tell a difference between leathers, why pick the more expensive?
I understand if you are say a top five earner in wage scale and you are matching product to your shave room. In this case though, if the OP is working on a budget and their is no concrete proof one is any better than the other, why are most telling him the one that stretches or exceeds the budget is a better choice when the other is only half the budgeted amount? Makes zero sense to me.

For that fact I only have my original strop that has been sanded a little due to the learning process and it still works great. I keep it soft by rubbing it daily with just the palm of my hand.

To the OP, if you don't need a new strop, then why spend the money? Just save the money till you find something dirt cheap or use it on samples.

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. Much appreciated.

Originally Posted by jsuiters

So back on subject then:
With so many people that say you couldn't tell a difference between leathers, why pick the more expensive?
I understand if you are say a top five earner in wage scale and you are matching product to your shave room. In this case though, if the OP is working on a budget and their is no concrete proof one is any better than the other, why are most telling him the one that stretches or exceeds the budget is a better choice when the other is only half the budgeted amount? Makes zero sense to me.

For that fact I only have my original strop that has been sanded a little due to the learning process and it still works great. I keep it soft by rubbing it daily with just the palm of my hand.

To the OP, if you don't need a new strop, then why spend the money? Just save the money till you find something dirt cheap or use it on samples.

I am one of those guys that likes to have a spare. I have one decent strop. I want one more that I know is good enough quality that it will last for decades with proper care.
I love straight shaving so much that I lie awake at night in fear of all the things that might cause me not to be able to pursue it. I need that spare strop.

Originally Posted by jsuiters

With so many people that say you couldn't tell a difference between leathers, why pick the more expensive?

Because the SRD strop offers better handling, is better made, and allows for the easy replacement of damaged or otherwise unwanted strips of leather, wool, or cotton. Ie it offers much better value for money, as previously stated by several people.

Originally Posted by jsuiters

[...]why are most telling him the one that stretches or exceeds the budget is a better choice when the other is only half the budgeted amount? Makes zero sense to me.

Because the SRD strop offers better handling, is better made, and allows for the easy replacement of damaged or otherwise unwanted strips of leather, wool, or cotton. Ie it offers much better value for money, as previously stated by several people.

Originally Posted by jsuiters

To the OP, if you don't need a new strop, then why spend the money? Just save the money till you find something dirt cheap or use it on samples.

Brilliant. Let's save money on strops to waste it on soaps. Nobody needs more than the local pedestrian supermarket soap. But a strop is the single most important tool for maintenance, so why misinvest? I honestly cannot see the logic behind your argument.