Thread: Choices.... Choices

Originally Posted by Jlander

Really interested in this. I am currently discussing a couple of strops with the gentleman, one being Roo.

Well I conversed with Alastair last evening and we talked about the Roo strop having more draw that what I expected and this was his reply:

You are not confusing the strops, and the Kangaroo strop is indeed the one in the far left of your photo. Draw is a difficult thing to describe in my opinion, and can indeed vary in different pieces of the same material. Its also quite a subjective thing - Indeed I sold identical Spanish horse hide strops to two well known UK honers who are regulars on some of the forums. One felt it was a heavy draw, and despite loving the design could not get used to it. The other swore blind it was a light draw, and couldn't understand any references to 'heavy' in describing it. I do think that possibly the laminating process has stolen some of the draw from the Spanish horse hide I made for you. I used to back it with a thicker veg tan leather, but I disliked the lack of movement in the leather, and so in yours I backed it with a second piece of the same horse hide. The result is a more supple strop, but it could be this has altered the draw to a much milder offering.

I personally think the Kangaroo is a fairly medium affair, but you are obviously getting something different.

To me the Roo has a lot more draw than any strop I own and I am not sure I like it, don't get me wrong it's a beauty and very nicely made but the draw is just a lot for me, I honestly don't think a heavy or light draw effects how the edge will be but if the strop is not comfortable to use by having a heavier draw it will affect the edge by stropping incorrectly, I will openly admit I have a heavy hand and don't believe in stropping with a light touch, the whole weight of blade stropping thing to me is way over stated but this is only my opinion so the heavy draw on a taunt strop may be magnified by my heavy hand.

Thank you for the information. I have no concerns regarding the quality of Alastairs' work, but I am very interested in your take on the "feel" of the leather. I also have a slightly "heavier" hand than most of the the SR users I know. I have also found that some of my blades seem to come off a higher draw strop with a smoother edge. This is entirely subjective as I do not use anything but a 20X loupe to examine the edge, and then only if I feel something is wrong with it. Others get too harsh to me and seem too be much smoother off a very light draw strop.

Anyway, I am very interested in your impressions of the shell and Roo leathers.

Do you know what the prices are? I didnt see any on the website.

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

Do you know what the prices are? I didnt see any on the website.

Prices vary depending on what materials are used like stuffed handles are the most but to give you an idea Roo with linen is $190 with $25 for shipping I believe and Spanish HH is $180 with $25 for shipping both in 3" and his Shell runs anout $100 more i believe but you can email him and ask to make sure.

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

Do you know what the prices are? I didnt see any on the website.

If you have to ask........

Originally Posted by sharptonn

If you have to ask........

So true...............

Originally Posted by Jnatcat

Prices vary depending on what materials are used like stuffed handles are the most but to give you an idea Roo with linen is $190 with $25 for shipping I believe and Spanish HH is $180 with $25 for shipping both in 3" and his Shell runs anout $100 more i believe but you can email him and ask to make sure.

That's the range we are discussing. There is also a premium on shell depending on color with Bourbon currently running about $35 more for the 3".

Originally Posted by Jlander

That's the range we are discussing. There is also a premium on shell depending on color with Bourbon currently running about $35 more for the 3".

Thats true as thats what I was told approx $285 for the bourbon with black tabs, D Rings and flax linen with $25 to ship.... buy once cry once..

Another option which is not bad is AFrames currently had Kanayama 30000 with suede for like $150 and free shipping, I just opened a Kana 30 off the shelf about a week ago and can't tell the difference between it and the Kana 80, I never really used the cotton as I found it to harsh.

So I am getting my strops down to a manageable level with two oil tanned, one Fast Bridle, two Cordovan, two Hoarse Hides ( Spanish and Italian) and two paddles, I think thats it, oh forgot have one more Kana on the shelf.... Good Gawd I need to see medical attention for SAD

Originally Posted by Jnatcat

Thats true as thats what I was told approx $285 for the bourbon with black tabs, D Rings and flax linen with $25 to ship.... buy once cry once..

Another option which is not bad is AFrames currently had Kanayama 30000 with suede for like $150 and free shipping, I just opened a Kana 30 off the shelf about a week ago and can't tell the difference between it and the Kana 80, I never really used the cotton as I found it to harsh.

So I am getting my strops down to a manageable level with two oil tanned, one Fast Bridle, two Cordovan, two Hoarse Hides ( Spanish and Italian) and two paddles, I think thats it, oh forgot have one more Kana on the shelf.... Good Gawd I need to see medical attention for SAD

Yeah, I'm looking at a Bourbon shell/Flax Linen & a Roo/hemp both barber end, 3". I'm still waiting for my blood pressure to come down on price, but as I told Alastair, quality is only expensive when you purchase. Over the years it's economical. Once my hobby budget recovers I'll look at a Kana. Maybe.

Stropping is as vital to your shaves as is your finishing hone. So I look at it as if I spend $300 plus on a Suehiro Gokumyo 20k finisher or more cash on a Jnat, I shouldn't begrudge spending some money on a good strop. You can say, all strops do the same things, and the debates go on. I bought myself a Kanayama #10000 a few years ago, Cordovan strop, slick draw, lovely to strop on, and my edges were improved by it's use. Yours may not. That being said, I own three Kanayama's now, my everyday is a #70000, and the suede piece is also an integral part of my routine. I also have an #80000 that gets a little use, just to keep it supple and a spare brand new #70000 in original packaging as a spare.
Just my opinion, but if someone offered me triple the price for my spare #70000 I'd decline because I think they are terrific to strop on, and my edges are great. Someone once quipped, 'all strops are equal, but some are more equal than others.'