Thread: Linen Strop Yes or No?

I am considering the many options for a new hanging strop. And the question that is going through my mind is do I really need a linen strop...or is a leather strop sufficient?

Yes or No?

Originally Posted by Whizbang

I am considering the many options for a new hanging strop. And the question that is going through my mind is do I really need a linen strop...or is a leather strop sufficient?

Yes or No?

IMO - linen and suede...linen is great for cleaning the razor, taking off any of the major damage after a shave, and the suede's just is the next step for a really great edge prior to leather. After a refresh, and a round on the linen, nothing beats suede to really mellow the edge with leather as the finisher...YMMV.

Whizbang since you seemed to have used the term "linen" generically, my vote is for the real deal natural linen produced from flax.

Oh, and yes I use one and I believe you and all straight shavers can benefit from one.

The 1961 barber manual points out that some barbers like linen, and some do not. The same manual instructs using leather only immediately after honing, and linen/leather before and after the shave.

So I asked Lynn Abrams, who has probably honed more razors than any man alive ....... or dead ..... and he hits the linen after the hone to clean the edge, then the leather. Me personally, I'm a linen/leather guy. Like Bob said above ....... the real stuff ....... natural linen made from flax.

My new linen strop arrived today, so linen had better be the best thing since sliced bread.

Actually, I already had a linen strop, but it's impregnated with Crox. This new one will stay "clean".

As always, I shall be the lone, dissenting voice.... unless joined by others.

The question was "Do I really *need* a linen strop?" (And yes, the emphasis is mine).

To me, the linen is not actually necessary. While I have had several over the years, I rarely used one, and frankly, I never saw any improvement in my shaves, so I stuck with what worked for me. My primary strop for many years was an Illinois 827, rough (suede) side out strop.... I now use a smooth, skin side out strop that I have come to like and I'm now and then playing with a linen strop, seeing so many of you seem to feel it helps.

For now, I'm still in the "it's not necessary, but if it works for you, why not!" camp..... I may change my tune in the future and I keep an open mind to the idea, but except for it's ability to soak up moisture after a shave... I'm still unsure it's of particular value. But then again, I HAVE noted that rough side out strops do work well for me....

Perhaps I should be looking at one of them fancy Japanese strops with the linen, rough and smooth leather jobs.

Regards

Kaptain "Make mine leather only" Zero

My opinion is the qualities of the fabric should impart a positive effect on the edge. it's that simple. other fabrics can be used but linen is the classic one and I think the best.

yes I use it too and like it.

Thanks for all your thoughts and observations. I read different things about the purpose of a linen strop. Some say its for the mild abrasive properties, some say its for removing debris and drying the edge. Others say its to warm up the edge. But I think leather will have the same warming property.

I think back to my grandfathers and I can remember them having a leather strop but not a linen strop. If it is just for drying...then I think my current approach of wiping it with a damp facecloth to remove any residual soap, then tissue and then drying my blade/pivot with a hair dryer for 10 seconds will work fine and then 20 laps on leather. Though based on the poll...most seem to be in favour of the linen strop.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

Thanks for all your thoughts and observations. I read different things about the purpose of a linen strop. Some say its for the mild abrasive properties, some say its for removing debris and drying the edge. Others say its to warm up the edge.

The fact that barbers traditionally use it before the shave eliminates drying as a primary purpose. Personally after the shave, and after rinsing and drying the blade, I strop 20 round trips on leather only. Lynn says the linen is good for cleaning up any roughness after honing. Following honing that is why he uses it before the leather.

I know a lot of guys don't hold to HHT tests but I do. I've taken a razor that wouldn't do HHT following leather but would following linen leather. Same razor, same occasion. Linen does something, and IME it does something good.

I have tried skipping the linen (yes, I use actual linen not the odd poly webbing) and my edges seem a little more refined with the extra step. It might be my imagination....but I will stick with it!