Thread: Westholme strop

Nice looking strop for sure,

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

I find the handles very comfortable to use and mine does not get dirty, I only use with clean hands and when not in use it hangs in my cupboard.

I have just purchased a 'Starter' from Alastair, I was quite tempted to go higher spec after seeing some of the offerings on this forum page, but his entry level latigo and natural flax backed strop looks a fine piece of equipment. Now I only have to wait a couple of weeks!

Originally Posted by TomP30

I have just purchased a 'Starter' from Alastair, I was quite tempted to go higher spec after seeing some of the offerings on this forum page, but his entry level latigo and natural flax backed strop looks a fine piece of equipment. Now I only have to wait a couple of weeks!

Im sure you will love it, Alistairs work is impeccable and his starter strops are essentially the same as the higher end ones, just a little less..er..jazzy.

Here's my latigo starter which arrived yesterday (Alastair's photo). There's latigo and there's latigo so I was pleased when I read Alastair sources his from Horween. As I'd hoped, it's dead flat, not too thick, comes broken in (i.e. soft) and with a very smooth, even draw. No hesitation to recommend as a Best Buy.

Very nice indeed Michael, I am really interested to see how the draw compares with my PRC English Bridle, I am expecting it to be somewhat heavier.

The Horween Latigo is an excellent leather for stropping, its not like other heavy oiled, heavy draw Latigos. It has a wonderful draw, id say medium to light. Its not a dry or oily draw, somewhere in between.

This should be delivered this week, Burgundy Shell Cordovan with black latigo joiners. Alastair was kind enough to send these photos so I could drool while I wait for the strop to be delivered.

Originally Posted by BadB

This should be delivered this week, Burgundy Shell Cordovan with black latigo joiners. Alastair was kind enough to send these photos so I could drool while I wait for the strop to be delivered.

Brian, beautiful strop still waiting on mine and I don't even have pics so it may be awhile.

Does anyone already use a strop from a new material that Alastair now offering - heavy horse fronts? (saw on Westholme Facebook page).
What this strop (leather) is different / comparable with Cordovan?

Another question for holders of the Kanayama and Westholme strops - which one do you like more and why?

I have used both Kanayama and Westholme Cordovan side by side and the Westholme is a tad more glassy compared to Kanayama but both impart a very keen edge, the Kanayama seems to be a bit more resilient to scuffs and scrapes compared to Westholmes cordovan but according to Alastair the cordovan that Kanayama uses is processed differently than the Horween cordovan he uses for his strops.