Thread: Rough leather vs linen or polyester

I just received a SRD strop with a fabric strop. I am curious, in the past I used the SRD modular with rough leather instead of linen or polyester. Is there really any difference in results? It appeared to me all clean the razor, just note sure if there is additional performance gained from one over another. I would assume the leather you strop on has more to do with the edge then the rough stropping.

I honestly don't know the answer to that. Keith DeGrau, who used to make the HandAmerican strops made some with two components of one smooth piece, and another rough. Full size strops. Keith felt that the rough leather was better than any fabric component that was currently available. I've got one of those strops, but TBH I'm an advocate of linen. Bottom line is we try this or that, and if it works for us all the better. YMMV.

When I bought the SRD modular, I asked Lynn what the rough leather was for and he said cleaning and prep. I was just starting out so I had no idea what he meant. Fast forward 3 years and now I have a better understanding of all the parts of the equation. Interesting that each razor is different and reacts better to some combinations then others. Having over 50 razors from a lot of manufacturers, I am going to have to start writing down what works best for each. Still searching but thats the fun of this.

In a pinch I have used my leather belt as a Strop. Inside is rough while outside is smooth. Worked fine.

I do not have those items in my strop selection. For second components I do or have had hemp, vintage linen, cotton weave, felt, suede and nylon. They all work, the nylon and the vintage linen are way too zippy of a feel for me. Once broke in my hemp has been a champ as well as the suede.