Refocusing on Strops

[TreeBrand]

I've received my Tony Miller Heirloom a couple days ago. It's my first strop. It's a work of art crafted by an artisan. I'd recommend an Heirloom to anyone who might be in the market for a stop.

Tony is a class act. His Heirloom line sells out as quickly as he can create them...for good reason. They're all quality. I was on vacation when he had a few in inventory. I told him that I wanted one. He saved one for me until I was back among the civilized. I had my strop within a week or ordering. I would highly recommend Tony because he's a man of faith, honor, and excellent characters, traits I admire. We can't forget his artistic ability. I have been around finely crafted leather for closing in on 40 years. Tony's products are superbly crafted.

[holli4pirating]

With all due respect, if it's your first and you've had it only a few days, why would you recommend it? What have you compared it to? How many razors have you stropped on it and on other strops to compare?

I had a TM, and it was a nice strop, but I don't think you recommending it is appropriate (unless there is a lot more background you're not sharing, in which case please do share it).

[BobH]

Here we go again, like a phoenix rising out of the ashes. Is a trolls work never done?

Bob

[TreeBrand]

With all due respect, if it's your first and you've had it only a few days, why would you recommend it? What have you compared it to? How many razors have you stropped on it and on other strops to compare?

I had a TM, and it was a nice strop, but I don't think you recommending it is appropriate (unless there is a lot more background you're not sharing, in which case please do share it).

Quality of workmanship. It's a well made strop. As important is Tony's character. From my experience interacting with him, I believe he's trustworthy. If I can't trust someone, I won't do business with him. I trust Tony.

I do have a lot of experience with products made from dead animals. From years of experience, I can look at a holster and immediately tell you whether it's quality. I can do the same with outdoor boots. And I can do the same with knives even though I'm not a knife guy. The very first thing I'll look for on a knife is where it's made. My knife preference is Solingen steel. But others have had great luck with other steel. If it's straight edged, I'll look for one solid piece of steel that extends to its end. If it's a folding knife, I'll look for the blade to close in the center of its handle. If these components are present, I'll inspect it further for balance, durability, and edge. A knife is a tool that must make a very physical job easier and safer. The reality, though, is I have all the knives I need. They're good quality meaning they'll last the rest of my life. I am not a knife collector. The knives I've bought are for use for specific purposes. I need no other knives.

When I'm all set to begin straight razor shaving, I'll have greater experience with Tony's strop performance. However, his strops have received great reviews.

While I like Tony's strop, I'm sure that there are others that are just as good.

Oh yeah, Tony can't keep up with demand. When I initially contacted him, he was out of his signature strop. He said he'd have more in inventory within a couple weeks. He emailed me while I was at 10000' in the Rockies. I told him that I wanted one and would order it when I returned to the civilized world. He promised me that he'd save one for me. He could've sold it immediately. But he gave me his word that he's save one for me. He did. Hence, he's a man of his word, a trait that I greatly admire. I'd do business with him again. Also, he took time to explain to me the strop that would be best for me. He could've sold me anything. But he sold me what I needed.

They closer I am to straight razor shaving, the more excited I am. I love the entire concept of straight razor shaving. I love my straight razors. I did buy a King Cutter for my girlfriend for Christmas. She told me in very plain terms that she did not want a straight razor, so now I have three. I love 'em all.

Maybe you can help me out. I use Neutrogena and Shave Butter with a Fusion razor. How would these products work with a straight razor? I've found that canned cream isn't as good as Shave Butter or Neutrogena. Is there benefit in dropping twenty bucks on tallow shave soap? Is pre-shave lotion necessary? Is a hot towel prior to application of cream all that's necessary? I will buy a silver tip badge brush because they're cool. But is a shaving brush necessary? Would it matter if I massaged cream on my face prior to shaving?

My girlfriend does not use any shaving cream. She uses only bath soap without complaint.

From what I've gleaned to date, the most important aspects of straight razor shaving are a sharp razor and intense attention to shaving with a straight razor. I'd imagine that a straight razor is unforgiving for those who are hasty.

Straight razor shaving is cool. Clint Eastwood probably shaves with a straight razor.

[holli4pirating]

Quality of workmanship. It's a well made strop. As important is Tony's character. From my experience interacting with him, I believe he's trustworthy. If I can't trust someone, I won't do business with him. I trust Tony.

I do have a lot of experience with products made from dead animals. From years of experience, I can look at a holster and immediately tell you whether it's quality. I can do the same with outdoor boots. And I can do the same with knives even though I'm not a knife guy. The very first thing I'll look for on a knife is where it's made. My knife preference is Solingen steel. But others have had great luck with other steel. If it's straight edged, I'll look for one solid piece of steel that extends to its end. If it's a folding knife, I'll look for the blade to close in the center of its handle. If these components are present, I'll inspect it further for balance, durability, and edge. A knife is a tool that must make a very physical job easier and safer. The reality, though, is I have all the knives I need. They're good quality meaning they'll last the rest of my life. I am not a knife collector. The knives I've bought are for use for specific purposes. I need no other knives.

When I'm all set to begin straight razor shaving, I'll have greater experience with Tony's strop performance. However, his strops have received great reviews.

While I like Tony's strop, I'm sure that there are others that are just as good.

Oh yeah, Tony can't keep up with demand. When I initially contacted him, he was out of his signature strop. He said he'd have more in inventory within a couple weeks. He emailed me while I was at 10000' in the Rockies. I told him that I wanted one and would order it when I returned to the civilized world. He promised me that he'd save one for me. He could've sold it immediately. But he gave me his word that he's save one for me. He did. Hence, he's a man of his word, a trait that I greatly admire. I'd do business with him again. Also, he took time to explain to me the strop that would be best for me. He could've sold me anything. But he sold me what I needed.

They closer I am to straight razor shaving, the more excited I am. I love the entire concept of straight razor shaving. I love my straight razors. I did buy a King Cutter for my girlfriend for Christmas. She told me in very plain terms that she did not want a straight razor, so now I have three. I love 'em all.

Maybe you can help me out. I use Neutrogena and Shave Butter with a Fusion razor. How would these products work with a straight razor? I've found that canned cream isn't as good as Shave Butter or Neutrogena. Is there benefit in dropping twenty bucks on tallow shave soap? Is pre-shave lotion necessary? Is a hot towel prior to application of cream all that's necessary? I will buy a silver tip badge brush because they're cool. But is a shaving brush necessary? Would it matter if I massaged cream on my face prior to shaving?

My girlfriend does not use any shaving cream. She uses only bath soap without complaint.

From what I've gleaned to date, the most important aspects of straight razor shaving are a sharp razor and intense attention to shaving with a straight razor. I'd imagine that a straight razor is unforgiving for those who are hasty.

Straight razor shaving is cool. Clint Eastwood probably shaves with a straight razor.

So... if it's your first and you've had it only a few days, why would you recommend it? What have you compared it to? How many razors have you stropped on it and on other strops to compare?

I know nothing about the shaving products you are asking about, so I cannot comment. You should try asking about them in the appropriate section, and perhaps someone who has tried them can share some input. With respect to a brush, a proper lather is necessary, and you can find more about that in the wiki or by asking in the appropriate section.

[gcbryan]

I would try out the strop with your Fusion razor initially before moving on to a straight. That's my recommendation anyway.

[Slawman]

PLEASE get a cheap strop to learn on. I got one for like twelve bucks on Amazon & it took the nicks & cuts before I learned to strop. Haven't cut either of my Shell strops. Gave the learner strop to my brother along with a straight that I had honed & stropped to get him into straight shaving.

[sqzbxr]

OP was banned a week ago, FYI.

[bobski]

Slawman hit the nail on the head. Your 1st strop, and new at Straight razor sharpening and honing? Buy a cheap 3 inch strop and it will still take you 6 months before you won't be nicking it. The 2 1/2 inch T. Miller is an expensive professional grade strop. Fair enough you may be confident, but knives are a different animal, and the leathers you are used to aren't in the same league, so avoid lateral movement of your razor if you must use the smaller width Miller, because you will cut this strop and it will be ruined. My best advice is, put the Miller away for 6 months while you learn how to strop.
*Check out the thread re Kanayama strops, another expensive high end strop. You will note that even very experienced str8t razor users get an attack of the stropping 'yips.' when handling strops like these.

[ScoutHikerDad]

Banned user or no, I will add to his op that I too started on a Tony Miller 3" latigo. Even taking it out of the box, I knew it was and is a beautiful, well-crafted strop, and that I had to be careful with it.

My theory was that I knew I had to be careful with such an expensive 1st strop. So I was, and am, and years later, it has very few nicks after many thousands of laps. There are many roads to sharp.