Thread: Help me with strop choices please.

To start with. I have a Kanayama. I know, big money for a piece of leather. When I learned to strop without cutting it any more I figured I'd go all out and get a really good one. Now I love my Kanayama 70K but I'd like to find something that has a bit more draw and something I can use when I'm restoring razors so that the Kana can be protected from scratches and not over worked and need cleaned as much and last for years.

I've been eyeballing the choices at SRD. I've figured what has the most draw and such and have contacted them and they said I had it right. Here is what I've come up with...
Most draw is the Premium 3
Step down is Latigo
Even less is Premium 1
And for fast, ROO.

I'd love to buy all 4 but at the price of 350 bucks I just cant swing it. Plus its just getting stupid to buy them all. Well, a serious case or SAD. ha.

So wanting a strop with a little more draw than the Kana, what do you recommend. I guess this should be answered by folks that have a couple of the SRD strops and a few more and possible lots more. LOL

Help.

I have the SRD Latigo and it has a good amount of draw/heavy.

I got to quit looking at the site. Now I'm thinking the Prem 1 and 4 plus the Natural and the Roo. 320 bucks. Price is going down. Ha.
Thanks ejmolitor37 for saying it has heavy draw.

Lately i've had some good luck finding vintage shell strops in great condition on the bay. just a thought

Aloha!

I never could bring myself to paying full boat for a quality strop. I know they are worth the money, but the bargain hunter in me just wouldn't let me spend that kind of coin on a piece of cut leather. I have had very good luck on Craigslist and eBay with used strops. Found a nice slightly used Roo in excellent contition on CL for pennies on the dollar. I don't think the seller knew what he had. Either that or he just wanted it gone at any price. Got my Latigo the same way. An excellent strop in stellar shape for next to nothing. Again, some guys just want them out of the house and/or they don't know what they have.

Because I travel, I check Craigslist whenever I hit a new town to see what's up with strops/razors/accessories and vintage audio (stereo) equipment from the 60s and 70s. This is my other passion. I've been very lucky with this over the years. I've found great shaving equipment and stereo equipment on CL at bargain basement prices while traveling.

But it's up to you, OP. If you just want a quality strop that you know is from a quality seller, that is pristine when you get it, then it's money well spent. If you have some patience, you may get lucky on eBay or CL.

-Zip

I have the premium IV and it has a decent amount of draw but I can only compare it to my Illinois 127 which is slick (I like that as well). You could always buy 1 strop, then buy a replacement leather for the other strops you want to test out. For say a roo strop with premium 3 and latigo replacements is 260. Although I personally would just get a 2" latigo strop if I was in your position

I have a Premium IV. In my opinion it's a very heavy draw. As I've used it the surface has gotten smoother and the draw has increased somewhat over time. Palm oil increases the draw as well. If you're looking for pull the IV should do it.

Thanks guys for the reply's.
Zip, I didn't have much luck on the Bay. Sometimes I get lucky like on the last razor I scored. As you say, he had no idea what he had. But strops ore not going my way as of yet.
Christian, You got a good point there. Buying replacement strops and one full one. I could test a few out this way. I wonder if SRD sells the hardware so I could put together my own with there leather? Bet I could come up with the stuff to do it in town. HUMMMM. Something to think about.

Does anyone know (I didn't see it listed) any horse,Cordoban?

I have the SRD latigo and it's got plenty of draw. Anymore and it would take the razor right out of my hand while stropping. (It actually did a few times).

Gasman:

I have a Cordovan strop. I'd classify the draw as full medium.

I've had more luck by far with Craigslist than with eBay. If you travel make sure you check CL in towns you hit along the way. Much higher chance of finding a great strop or razor or hone for an amazing price on CL than you do on eBay where the bidding process alone will drive up the price.

-Zip