Thread: What to get to have a complete strop system?

Brontosaurus! You start from the top?! That's outrageous, I've never heard of such a thing

That's one of the things I love about this hobby, everyone finds their own way and the results are all good.

It is a good point you make about your first strop becoming the third element though. That's exactly where my paddle strop came from.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

For me the secret to stropping resides in the grip of the shank.

Yeah I understand. I've been using chop sticks for since forever and as a mechanic I've got a pretty good dexterity in my hands. The proper rolling of the blade over on the spine is not going to be an issue for me. Even, steady strokes with consistent pressure (none) and the spine maintains consistent proper angle like a guided sharpening system.

Thanks for your help.

Simply a 3" leather strop; if you want to add a canvas/linen strip for coming right off the stone,, well okay, but not even necessary.

I don't use pastes, sprays, chrome bumpers or magic potions,,, never will.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Simply a 3" leather strop; if you want to add a canvas/linen strip for coming right off the stone,, well okay, but not even necessary.

I don't use pastes, sprays, chrome bumpers or magic potions,,, never will.

Never rule out magic potions Hiralu.

I thought this would be a great opportunity for you to show off your leopard strop too...

Originally Posted by Porl

Never rule out magic potions Hiralu.

I thought this would be a great opportunity for you to show off your leopard strop too...

Well, since you asked,,,,

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ard-strop.html

I'm a n00b and I totally relate to your feelings about this. Strops are even more confusing than razors. And there is no right or wrong answer.

Right now, I have a 3" bench strop that helped me screw up my razors, so I don't recommend that.

Then I have a two-piece (leather and fire hose) strop and a separate loaded strop. Though you can use the inside of your leather or canvas for that.
Personally, I see such a huuge difference just having a good hanging leather strop. I haven't even used the firehose yet!

So what should you get? I have a friend who only use the leather (though they burnished the back side to make it 'suede') and is satisfied. I have another who can't live without his firehose.

I see two suggestions 1) get a single leather strop like a Ruitertassen (cheap, and you can add something later if you wish) or 2) A 3 piece strop with a microabrasive. The latter is somewhat controversial and I'm looking forward for the pros in the forum to comment on that.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. I like it when things are simple. So I'll be getting a SRD red Latigo or English bridal with standard or performance fabric and a 12k naniwa with a dmt that I already wanted.

here's what I use daily.
boker tree brand
PSC red latigo w/ webbing 3" wide
(Poor man strop from the whipped dog 2 1/2" wide, taught me how to do x strokes, and it's got alot of tiny nicks in it.
still use it sometimes. It's like a skinny leopard strop)
your gunna nick your strop, no doubt about it.

balsa strop with one side has chromium oxide the other iron oxide use this for refresher after around 9 shaves for both the boker and my aust.
Have 2 3 line swattys but havent used 'em yet.

You can always go with the SRD Modular Paddle Strop. I went with it as my first (1) so I could focus on my technique (2) the different pads you can have your leather, rough leather, and pressed felt options.

I too recommend the Poor-man strop as a beginners strop. You will cut or nick your strop! Dont start with high quality. It dont matter. I've only herd of one person that swears hes never nicked his strop, Ever. I have a hard time believing it but I'm not going to call him a lier. Its possible. But 1 in 10,000 people is not good odds. Its your choice and your money but I recommend a cheaper one to start with. I waited 4 months before I bought a quality strop and I haven't nicked it yet but I stropped daily to learn the proper grip and pressure and then speed started getting better. Now I have to slow myself down as I get too relaxed and I know I'm going to mess up some day.

Good luck on what you choose. Enjoy your shave and learning experience. It takes time so dont get in a hurry about any part of this hobby.

One more thing. I feel a leather and second of cloth/firehose type is good enough. The cloth with help you to clean the edge after a shave and the leather to straighten the edge before the shave. I enjoy stropping so I do both before and after. JMHO.