Thread: First Timer

Hello! So I'm buying my first straight razor and finally decided on a Ralf Aust from SRD. Now I'm on the hunt to find the strop to go with it. I have been reading a lot of threads about them, but was wondering if anyone had tried SRD's "The Natural" 2 inch strop? Just looking into which one would be the best for the price. The natural is only $50 compared to some of their others being around $85. Would it be worth going up to that next level for the quality of the leather? Or is a personal preference and feel kind of thing? Any help would be much appreciated!
Jay

If this is your first time with a straight...you WILL cut your strop.
Don't get something SO expensive that you will be heartbroken WHEN it happens.

Besides that ANYTHING SRD sells idea of very good quality. You can't go wrong.

I agree. If you go with SRD buy their most basic strop or their modular where you can just change the leather. If you are starting out damaging your strop is a great possibility.

So would you recommend that I go with something cheaper like the Illinois, mentioned in a thread abut shaving on budget, until I get the hang of it and then go up from there?

Like spendur said, get the modular one so you can change out the leather if/when you cut it up to bad to repair.

Or just don't cut it and get the good one.

+1 on the modular.

Not only can you replace the leather pad for about 20 dollars if you accidentally cut it, but the modular paddle comes with a 2 felt pads and .5 micron diamond spray which you can use to refresh a razors edge. Its an alternative to purchasing stones to re-hone your razors.. which gets expensive quick. When i bought mine i added the .25 diamond spray to use on the other felt pad.

I used the paddle strop for about a month before trying to use an hanging strop. Getting the hang of flipping the razor with your thumb and wrist takes some practice and knowing you can replace the leather for 20 beans makes the learning process much less intimidating.

Lynn breaks it down in the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

That's great advice thank you! I'll definitely go with the modular one, knowing I can replace the leather when I cut it up really puts me at ease. You guys are awesome thank you

I got an Illinois #127 about a week before I received my first straight, also a Ralf Aust which I love. Practiced with a butter knife here and there for the entire week and did pretty well when I got my razor for the most part. I did ding the edge down by the handle but it wasn't bad and an easy fix. I will be picking up one of Lynn's modular paddle strops when I can but will probably always have the 127.