Thread: Which Strops for a Beginner

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

held off with the hones for a couple of years before diving in, and am only recently feeling that I am any good at it.
Let us know what you get! Aaron

Thanks for the advices, what I don't understand is will coupla of shave ready razors will shave me with only stropping (without honing) like for a year or more like you did?

Originally Posted by cbaytan

Thanks for the warm welcome,


Do you mean 361? Can you be more specific please which "one" is the best for me, (or from others) if you choose the 361, how it's used without handle (or do I attach one myself?)

cbaytan,

My apologies. Yes, the 361. This is a barber style strop in that it has no handle; you just hold it by the ends. Of all the Illinois series strops, this is one my favorite, as I don't particularly care for handles on strop. I also like the 127. You will do well with any of them. Which is best for you? Well, let's start with the 127, although any of the three will work fine for you.

What is essential is that you learn to strop properly. There are many videos on subject. Lynn Abrams has a good one. Keep your speed low. For starters, practice with a butter knife that has a smooth edge; then move to the straight razor.

cbaytan,

For a razor, I suggest a Ralf Aust 5/8. This is a quality razor and a sweet shaver. For a strop, try one of the SRD models, if you like, or the Illinois. The Illinois strops we have talked about are 2.5 inches wide. Tony Miller has some 2.5 inch strops that are inexpensive but quality. Keep an eye on his site. SRD also has some 3-inch wide strops, if you like them. Whatever you do, don't start on the cheap and get junk: razor or strop.

It's hard to say how long an edge will last you before requiring honing. Variables are the razor and how you use it and your whiskers. It also assumes no mishaps with the razor. With somes razors you can go months and months and some you may only get 20 shaves.

Keep in mind all quality strops do the same thing. Whether you buy an $80 strop or a $600 one the result will be the same. There will be quality differences but they don't translate into better stropping.

Originally Posted by cbaytan

Thanks for the advices, what I don't understand is will coupla of shave ready razors will shave me with only stropping (without honing) like for a year or more like you did?

Like BigSpendur said, it depends on so many variables, and I didn't go completely without honing them, I just didn't do it myself. I got a lot of mileage out of stropping on colored newsprint (several threads on that), and sent my first few razors out a couple of times.

For example, my 1st razor was a Dovo Best 5/8" from Lynn's StraightRazorDesigns that used to be one of the default recommendations for newbies around here. I lucked out and got it with Lynn's free lifetime honing offer, and sent it back to him a couple of times. I'm not sure if he still offers that, but I used his edges as comparisons when I first started honing, and considered myself to be making progress when I could get "close" to his edges.

Again, let us know what you end up with!

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Again, let us know what you end up with!

Thanks for the info, I sure will let you know.

I have been SR shaving since early July. I started with a 3 inch board strop. I now have a 3 inch hanging strop (linen/leather). Interesting though, I still prefer my board strop. The nice thing about a board strop is you have to go slow and focus on technique. I pair this with a newspaper strop and it does everything I need. I occasionally use my hanging strop....but it spends most of its time just hanging around. When I do use my hanging strop I lay it on a table and use it as a board strop. Its just habit now.

Regarding honing...I started shortly after I started shaving with a properly honed SR... so I knew what I was aiming for in terms of a keen edge when I started honing my own SRs. I started with a couple of beaters to learn on, but really it was not difficult to get a good edge. I use a 1K, 3/8k, 12k Naniwa set and it does everything I need. I don't bother with pastes.

A nice vintage strop on ebay. Red imp strops in good condition pop up all the time for around $30. I just found this one a few weeks ago. It's stamped like it's a kanyama??

Originally Posted by Whizbang

I have been SR shaving since early July. I started with a 3 inch board strop. I now have a 3 inch hanging strop (linen/leather). Interesting though, I still prefer my board strop.

Thanks, yes, I am planning to get modular paddle strops too but with more pad options than Lynn's which has optional pads for kitchen knives we destroyed the edges in the dishwasher in the 80C drying process.

Originally Posted by prodigy

A nice vintage strop on ebay. Red imp strops in good condition pop up all the time for around $30.

Thanks but, I am currently far from to evaluate the value and useability of a vintage strop yet.