Thread: Gabrielcr78 Kangaroo strop

Wow, nice looking strop. Was lucky enough to get a whole roo hide a while back, made a couple of strops so far, but mine look a bit more rustic to say the least...
Roo leather is perfect to learn on because it is so thin but really strong. Very forgiving, just seems to form to whatever razor you are using.

ROOO IS IN DA' HOUSE!!!!
Epic mail call today.

After a long wait my handmade roo strop arrived today. I've been meaning to get one for a while and decided to ask Gabriel.

I must admit i rarely am impressed with something and i rarely make reviews on shave gear but one must give credit where credit is due.

The level of craftsmanship is top knotch, handles and top are solid thick cowhide put togeather with stainless domed chicago screws. The top part is also matching solid stainless steel with a solid swivel hook.

Overall construction is top class and SOLID.

The second material is densly woven cotton webbing that has a nice feel to it, it's not to agressive/hard as in some new kanoyama strops and has a nice feel to it. It also works great for the purpouse it is used for.

I left the roo leather last because there are quite a few things i need to say about it.

It's the first roo strop i got so the only thing i can compare it with is my cordovan strops.

The thickness of the material is 1-1,5mm...it looks frail at first but once you put some tension in it you realise it's actualy quite diffrent from what you expect. It has good dimensional stability in the sense that it is not elastic...Roo leather is one of the toughest leathers arround...it is ussed for aplication where resistance to ware and abrasion is needed...like high end motorbike riders suits.

Yet the thin leather tends to conform to the lines of the blade with ease.
I stropped a smiling razor and i was impressed by the way if followed the lines of the blade.

Drag is medium. It's definetly more drag then what you get on a shiny cordovan strop and less then what you get on a Dovo russian leather strop for example.

It has a nice audio feedback and you can play with the tension...the thin leather responds better to tension the the thick cordovan i regularly use.

Effectiveness?
It works realy good, i was so impressed i took the time to write this review and share some pics with you gentlemen.

Do i like it more then my Kanoyama and other cordovan strops i use...?
I dont know yet...i like it A LOT, but they are a bit diffrent in the way they feel and work...also my Kanoyama is broke in and i have used it for a few years....and this is just in...both do a great job of refreshing the edge, dragg is less on the Kanoyama Cordovan, audio feedback is more pleasent on the roo and the roo tends to conform better to the shape of the blade then the thicker cordovan...it's a matter of taste in the end and i will want to see how this strop breaks in and holds up in time.

Thank you Gabriel! It was worth the wait!

This gentleman does realy nice work and if you're thinking of a roo strop you should consider Gabriel's work as a great option.

Some pics of the strop...artificial light and mobile phone used did not do a great job of capturing the details.

Great review! About how I would describe the horsehide one I have.
Gabe and his strops are another fine example of the great craftsmen we have in-house here!

Enjoy!

wow, thanks or the nice review Cotiga!, i'm very glad you liked it!!

I just found out from my wife that I have a roo strop from Gabe waiting on me I get back home next week. Excited to try it out!

Cool wife man! Good choise!

Oh and your wife made a good choise on the strop too

I am lucky to have her to be supportive with this new hobby, I keep telling her it's a way of life!!

I am very impressed with this strop from Gabe, I have used it on few shaves and the blade is nice and sharp. Much better than that smaller strop I had, a nice item for my straight razor collection . Thanks Gabe

Originally Posted by Dlb1963

I am very impressed with this strop from Gabe, I have used it on few shaves and the blade is nice and sharp. Much better than that smaller strop I had, a nice item for my straight razor collection . Thanks Gabe

Thanks for the nice comments man!!! Im really glad you like the strop and thatvit is performing as expected!!