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.