Thread: Linen or poly webbing...

My first strop was a Parker red latigo with a black polyweb backing. I did not like the poly at first...too zippy. However, I have found that the more I use the poly, the more I like it. As the surface starts to wear from contact with the razor, the surface becomes smoother and softer. You might be able to speed up the wear by lightly sanding the surface. I would suggest, however, that you wash the material afterward to make sure no grit from the sandpaper is left behind; that would ruin your razor... and your day.

I prefer the premium linen on SRD's strops simply because of tradition and the lovely sound it makes while stropping. I have no factual basis for concluding it's any better or worse than the poly component on my other 2 SRD Premium strops.

Originally Posted by Speedster

I prefer the premium linen on SRD's strops simply because of tradition and the lovely sound it makes while stropping. I have no factual basis for concluding it's any better or worse than the poly component on my other 2 SRD Premium strops.

What is their linen called? "Premium Fabric" or is it the wool felt?

I can't bring myself to enjoy stropping on seat belt material. Too soft, it just doesn't feel 'right.' I'm not saying one is better than the other, but I enjoy linen more than poly webbing.

Originally Posted by Marshal

What is their linen called? "Premium Fabric" or is it the wool felt?

I can't bring myself to enjoy stropping on seat belt material. Too soft, it just doesn't feel 'right.' I'm not saying one is better than the other, but I enjoy linen more than poly webbing.

It's called "SRD premium fabric." The "100% hard pressed wool felt" is the third and most expensive option. I have the hard pressed wool felt pads for my SRD paddle strop, but like you I truly enjoy stropping on linen more than any other fabric. I'm recently curious about flax linen fire hose as a strop material.

I tried the SRD poly when I first started SR shaving a couple years ago. I did not like the feel or sound of the poly. I went to SRD linen and I like that feel and sound. I put the poly on another rig and have tried it a time or two as I have gotten better at stropping but have not been able to get that comfortable feeling with it. The sound of it gives me the creeps. I can just see my edge micro chipping into glitter on every stroke. It came down to sound first and feel second. Since I do not shave every day, once or twice a week, I do not think I have a year of real experience yet so I am far from expert.

A lot a great insight here. Thanks.

Originally Posted by jmercer

I tried the SRD poly when I first started SR shaving a couple years ago. I did not like the feel or sound of the poly. I went to SRD linen and I like that feel and sound. I put the poly on another rig and have tried it a time or two as I have gotten better at stropping but have not been able to get that comfortable feeling with it. The sound of it gives me the creeps. I can just see my edge micro chipping into glitter on every stroke. It came down to sound first and feel second. Since I do not shave every day, once or twice a week, I do not think I have a year of real experience yet so I am far from expert.

A lot a great insight here. Thanks.

I currently use poly because I am lazy but,I get the same creepy feeling .

Actually I remember that creepy feeling when I first started stropping on linen. Just sounded so dang abrasive. But once I got it programmed into the brain pan that this is what stropping feels and sounds like at this phase, I couldn't reprogram it.

The poly webbing on the other hand, feels too soft. Like it's not doing anything. And I suppose in the grand scheme of things it isn't supposed to be doing anything but straightening the edge. Either or is probably doing a good job of that.

Might contact SRD and see if they can sell me some hardware along with one of the linen pieces. I'd hate to take the poly off and just set it aside to collect dust, but if I can get a handle and some hanging hardware I might dedicate it to pastes or something.