Thread: Tony Milller strop

Ever since I started shaving with a str8, I knew that I needed to get a good leather strop. While there are a number of reputable suppliers, one of the more respected stropmakers in the States seems to be Tony Miller and his heirloom razor strops. I was afraid to invest in one of his strops when I first started knowing I would nick the strop until I mastered the flip. So, I started with a Parker red latigo and yes, it has acquired a couple of minor nicks.

Now that my stropping technique has improved, I have been checking Tony's web site periodically. I wanted to get a 3" strop so I could use a straight stroke rather than the X-strokes required on more narrow strops. For several months, the 3" strops were absent from Tony's website. Once again Tony is offering 3" Artisan Fast Bridle strops as well as the less expensive 3" plain chocolate strops. I pulled the trigger on one of his 3" Artisan strops with leather handles.

Tony states that orders placed before Dec. 17 should ship to USA addresses in time for Christmas, so you have a few days left to order one if you have strop acquisition disorder.

My wife plans to intercept the package and hide it until Christmas Day. I will be unwrapping Ralf Aust and Dovo Bismark razors that day as well. I will try to post some photos and reviews after Christmas.

I have one of his strops and you made a good choice.

Several years ago near Christmas I got a chance to talk to Tony and as a result purchased one of his 2.5 in strops. It is extremely well made of first rate materials.

Yup...quality is outstanding. I got mine the first week in January. Is it wrong to be more nervous about stropping and nicking the leather rather than shaving and nicking your face?

Originally Posted by Blamo

Yup...quality is outstanding. I got mine the first week in January. Is it wrong to be more nervous about stropping and nicking the leather rather than shaving and nicking your face?

Not wrong at all.
I would be too!
Nicked skin grows back, leather won't.

Best to buy one to hang and admire, and another to use .........

Congrats! My 1st strop was a TM 3" Heirloom latigo. Beautiful strop, and knowing that, I took my time and learned to strop slowly and carefully until I built up the muscle memory that comes quicker than you think. Seven years later it has a couple of tiny nicks.

Sometimes I wonder if the usual advice for newbies to get a cheapo to tear up is really the best advice? Go slow and you should be fine!

Originally Posted by Thug

Not wrong at all.
I would be too!
Nicked skin grows back, leather won't.

I've heard that horse leather makes for good strops. I'm not going to lie, I actually thought about shaving one of mine in order to have a self healing strop. Don't judge.

Originally Posted by Blamo

Yup...quality is outstanding. I got mine the first week in January. Is it wrong to be more nervous about stropping and nicking the leather rather than shaving and nicking your face?

I got the same strop for Christmas. It was on my list and I absolutely love it. The draw is so smooth and light.

I recently received one of his Old No2 and have been really impressed with the quality.