Thread: Serviceable, or not?

That's the first strop I've seen with stitches! I would not use on any of my razors.........

Welcome to SRP. I'd go along with the previous suggestion to have the stitched portion cut off professionally. The old pro barber strops were 2 1/2" wide, so that should leave you with plenty of width.

As much as it confirmed my fears, I thank you all for your replies.

I don't know if returning it would be out of the question, but I won't be able to get back to that location any time in the foreseeable future - hence why I tried to one-stop-shop the hone and strop at the same time.

Edge-to-edge it's 3 inches wide, with the stitching set in 1/8th, so I'd be left with a little under 2-3/4 inches if I have it trimmed. Money aside, if I can salvage it, I'd rather do that than throw it out.

Lessons learned.

I know, I know, stimpy's old and crazy... but we strop all the time on linen as hard as stone, hard wool felt, seat belt fabric, denim, balsa, and what have you. It's hard for me to imagine that the stitching along the edge is going to hurt anything. I understand you only have the one razor and I guess that's a factor in your reticence about using it. Question -- did the person who honed the razor use a similar strop? Is it shaving sharp? Have you tried shaving with it?

Personally, I'd try it, but I have more than one razor -- just in case I screw up. Again.

Looks like a belt that was repurposed.

I would not use it.

Originally Posted by stimpy52

Question -- did the person who honed the razor use a similar strop? Is it shaving sharp? Have you tried shaving with it?

I haven't really had a chance to see if it's satisfactorily sharp or not. Upon noticing the issue I put the razor back in the box and went online to see how much of a problem it might be.

He honed it on a machine. Don't think he stroped it, but he was in a back room, so I couldn't see. Someone makes the strops for him, 2 different widths, but both with the stitching.

I held on to the shavette and blades in case I do something stupid like drop the razor in the sink, or if I otherwise make a mess of the edge which necessitates outside help.

I would hold onto your shavette forever. That's what I do with mine. Great for roadtrips, one less thing to worry about....

Yea, don’t think the strop stitching will hurt the razor, but you are losing about a ½ in of usable width of the strop face. You will have to use an X stroke or strop the toe, then the heel. Don’t understand why they stitched it, nice stitching though.

More importantly that bevel looks pretty rough, when you enlarge the photo, could be the photo.

Generally have your razor honed by some one that shave with them, knife guys sharpen knives, usually on machines. Getting to sharp is just half of honing a razor… actually it is just the beginning.

Welcome to the forum, there is a lot of good information here, ask any questions or post any other issues you may have.

Originally Posted by WeaponizedGrooming

He honed it on a machine. Don't think he stroped it, but he was in a back room, so I couldn't see.

I wouldn't worry mate you may have other problems, if it was machine honed I doubt it will be a nice shave anyway,
machine plus a couple thousand laps on the strop may me tolerable,

I suggest you do a quick test shave & confirm if the edge is even worth stropping -
normally it is recommended to not strop your razor if honed properly by someone who knows what they are doing as it will be shave tested & stropped ready for use,

if it is not truly shave ready, bite the bullet & get it done properly by a known razor honer & user.

then unpick & lose the stitching on the strop making sure there are no high spot left & rub them in if so & the strop should be good,

I am sure there are many members in the Ontario area who can point you in the right direction.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...rt=posts&pp=50

These members have Ontario as their location, hopefully the link works
the top 10 posters at least would be able to help you & Cangooner is a Mentor also
if they don't see this tread try a PM