Thread: Strops. More than bits of leather.

When I started out, my intention was to have only one strop to use everyday, but, as we say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
My first was a Tony Miller Latigo. Nice workmanship, although not spectacular for the type of modular construction. Latigo was not my "cup of tea," the draw of latigo was so heavy that it could nearly tear the razor from my hands. So, I thought, perhaps a different strop, but then I thought, all I need is the leather in a different type. Unfortunately, that didn't work out either as the Artisan was not at all accommodating.
Next came an SRD P-IV. Nice strop with nice draw.. I used it for some time until I realized that it was not specifically what I wanted.
So, Neil Miller, rest his soul, got the call, and I found happiness with two renditions of English Bridle and one Shell cordovan, which was, and is, sublime. I don't use it very often now, because it is irreplaceable!
I came to the conclusion that I prefer 2 1/2 inch strops over three inch, so I went to Torolf at Scrupleworks. Over time I accrued a shell cordovan, oil tanned Horween, and a Vegetable tanned horsehide, which today is my everyday strop. Nice draw, nice feel and it gets the job done.
Oh, I almost forgot, I've also got a Kanayama #3, with the suede component removed and replaced with Torolf's natural linen. A beautiful strop, and it also could be my "everyday.."
But, the prize that I use on special occasions, goes to the Scrupleworks Black Shell Cordovan with Natural Linen. 2 1/2 inches wide by as long as Torolf could get out of the hide. Barber's ends and sewn with contrasting natural colored leather.

So, I've been through a few, but i finally feel that I can do no better, and I consider my search concluded!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yeah, Spendur always says that, yet just look at what he strops upon!

Proof's in the pudding.....Strop, I mean!

yea that Raven strop aint no Yugo Tc

When I started out, Rup Razors' strops were recommended. I bought the cheapest one, forget the name of it now and it was sufficient for awhile. Then I dinged my razors, grew a beard and it hung on my door handle for a few years. When I came back into the light, I bought an SRD 3" and used that exclusively for 6 months or so. Then I bought a Kanayama 30k and it sat for 2 months while I contemplated the various ways I could damage the heck out of it. And then I did something stupid. Supremely stupid.

I had just finished shaving and decided to give my razor a nice stroppin'. So I hit the fabric, rubbed the leather and stropped it up. But the draw was insane. 1000x heavier than a few days prior. I stopped, put the razor away, quite confused. I thought about what I did and even more reticent in using my Kanayama. Then it hit me. Balm. I had a minute amount of left over balm all over my hands after my shave. I learned my lesson, put the SRD away and started using the 30k. I haven't put it down since.

I was a serial user of leather conditioners, oils etc to make my strop, better, well protected. After a while, the draw was so severe I began developing a muscular forearm just to get a razor ready for a shave. Scratch one strop, not an expensive one, but one ruined all the same. Some years later, and I now have a bevy of Kanayama strops. My everyday strop is a #70000, and I have put nothing on it, nor will I ever do more than a palm rub on it. You think your doing the right thing, preventing the strop from drying out etc, when in fact all you are doing is making it heavier and slower. I did the same thing with an Aussie Icon, 'The swag', an item used to sleep in when out in the scrub camping. Made of canvas, they suggested just using water to ensure it stayed 'waterproof' I knew better of course and sprayed it with all types of waterproofing agents, to the point where I was barely able to roll it up, and it must have weighed 10 kilos more than before I touiched it. Anyway, I've learned re my strops, Kanayama's at least, 'Don't put anything on them'
Cheers Bob.

Good advise, bobski. I use the Bick 4 on old ones as they tend to be a bit dry, but only once or twice.
All-palm-rubbing after that and certainly no oils. JMO.