Thread: Recommend a strop

I have had a few strops including Srd, kanayama, Illinois razor co, vintage and home made. Had Russian, Latigo, English Bridle, Cordivan, Roo, shell. I would suggest either Roo or shell. Best would be vintage shell and proper linen both on good condition.

Originally Posted by hrfdez

I'm relatively new to this, but the technique used in that video is the complete opposite of what I have learned from SRP and Lynn's videos.

I'm not saying it doesn't work, I don't know that, but it is a different method, that's for sure. Thanks for the video link.

Yeah, like I said... it scares me all to hell and back. But.... my dad's last strop from his barber chair, which I still have, looks exactly like the one Liam uses as far as condition goes. It really feels almost rubbery..... I know it's leather, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

You won't stay head barber in a high end hotel for long, if you don't give close comfortable shaves! I don't doubt his stropping works for him, but he's developed that skill/feel over many years of stropping at least 6 times a day... probably more. It is NOT a technique for hobbyists who only strop maybe once a day.

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Yeah, like I said... it scares me all to hell and back. But.... my dad's last strop from his barber chair, which I still have, looks exactly like the one Liam uses as far as condition goes. It really feels almost rubbery..... I know it's leather, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

You won't stay head barber in a high end hotel for long, if you don't give close comfortable shaves! I don't doubt his stropping works for him, but he's developed that skill/feel over many years of stropping at least 6 times a day... probably more. It is NOT a technique for hobbyists who only strop maybe once a day.

No disagreement from me

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Honestly, I don't believe you can get a *better* strop than an SRD.... Yes, it would be trivial to get a *nicer looking* strop than the SRD offerings...

As for thin vs thick leather.... It's all what the individual prefers and learns to use. Liam Finnegan from the Waldorf Barbershop Dublin, Ireland, has a stropping method that scares the daylights out of me, yet I would not hesitate to have him give me a shave and I'm confident the razor would be keen and comfortable.

Thanks, I agree that buying an artisan strop is much more of a want than a need. The SRD strops are already beautiful in their own right. As for Mr. Finnegan... he almost looks as though he's trying to beat a better edge out of that blade! I think I'll stick with my slow and steady method for now. Different strokes for different folks.

I use an Illinois 827 strop (I think from Fromm) that I got on Amazon for about $30. Seems to be holding up well. I finally treated it with some neatsfoot oil.

It's hard for me to focus on the stropping in that video - I get too focused on the music because I love "Begin the Beguine".

I have a couple of classic shaving 3 inch mountain strops, one Latigo one English bridle, mine are with D rings, both have genuine linen back strop, medium draw, durable and shaves are excellent. Around $87 USD. These are clearly a well made strop, and the linen side isn't felt, it's woven cotton. Excellent for me.

+1 for the SRD strops, I've been highly satisfied with mine. I ordered mine with the Kangaroo leather, since it was the only kind you couldn't order by itself for replacement at the time (I'm not sure if that's still the case or not). I've since gotten another strop from PortlandRazorCo (the Deluxe English Bridle) and it is superb quality, however I find I really, really prefer the kangaroo leather to strop on.

Buy a strop that you will enjoy for years. I started with an Illinois which was ok but not a show piece. I mean they all do what you want even newspaper will do the job. I moved on to a Tony Miller Latigo and a SRD premium which are both high quality and I enjoy pulling the edge across each. My opinion is buy the highest quality you are you willing to spend and you will be happier.

Back one page I talked of the CS 'Mountain strops' Latigo.Bridle, and rightly said they have served me well for the last few years. But, and as has been mentioned, a lot of kit in the straight razor world is not based on need. All the acquisition disorders are genuine, it's a great feeling to get your self a new razor to bring your collection to 30 or 40! Equally so, you get great shaves off of a Naniwa 12k, but, a hell of a lot of us have the Suehiro 20k in our kits. Just to illustrate this, two days ago I received a Kanayama #70000 strop, and to prove how my sanity may be questioned I also bought a Kanyama #10000 which I have put away for the day, Mr Kanoyama departs and they become collector items. Nothing wrong with me folks....lol