Thread: New Tony Miller

I posted a pic of this new strop in another thread but figured I’d try to get some conversation going on it. I have four strops. Two of them are Tony Miller strops. And as you would suspect by this additional purchase, I like them. The other two are serviceable, good strops but not of the caliber of a TM strop. The first was a fast bridle. The second, pictured below, is the premium steerhide. For those that have a TM strop, how do you like them in comparison to other strops? Dollar for dollar, how do think they value up?

I only have three strops.

My go to strop has been a Tony Miller fast bridle that I have probably had for three years or so. It has a wonderful feel and silky smooth draw. The value for the dollar couldn't be better seeing that in my case it is still going strong.

My question to you is how does the premium steerhide compare to the fast bridle?

Enjoy!

Pete <:-}

Is this his site?

The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company

Originally Posted by earcutter

Is this his site?

The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company

That's the site. The stock of strops comes and goes. You have to catch him when he has some available.

Originally Posted by petercp4e

I only have three strops.

My go to strop has been a Tony Miller fast bridle that I have probably had for three years or so. It has a wonderful feel and silky smooth draw. The value for the dollar couldn't be better seeing that in my case it is still going strong.

My question to you is how does the premium steerhide compare to the fast bridle?

Enjoy!

Pete <:-}

How do they compare? They are the same size and quality. In that regard there is no difference. In spite of the names of them, the fast bridle has more draw than the steerhide. The steerhide is actually quite fast. If you are a latigo/draw fan, the steerhide is not for you. Both are flawless pieces of leather with a silky glide. His site promises that the difference is in the details. I agree. Its a good addition to my strops because some razors bring their own draw. Having a fast strop is a good addition.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

That's the site. The stock of strops comes and goes. You have to catch him when he has some available.

Man, there’s a bit too much proselytizing going on there for me. Oh well!

Originally Posted by earcutter

Man, there’s a bit too much proselytizing going on there for me. Oh well!

Well, scroll past it and check out the strops. My understanding is that he's in Amish country and takes his faith seriously. But good leather is good leather.

I have your same strop in dark leather. My first, got it 4 years ago. It is my favorite as well. My other is a horween Scrupleworks. I like it too, but I prefer the TM. A little less draw with the TM. It's 3 inches wide vs. the 2.5 on the Scrupleworks, but either width is fine by me. Unless I cut one badly I'll never buy another.

Originally Posted by cau

I have your same strop in dark leather. My first, got it 4 years ago. It is my favorite as well. My other is a horween Scrupleworks. I like it too, but I prefer the TM. A little less draw with the TM. It's 3 inches wide vs. the 2.5 on the Scrupleworks, but either width is fine by me. Unless I cut one badly I'll never buy another.

Is yours a fast bridle? My fast bridle is a dark leather. This new one is obviously a lot lighter.

Tony Miller has always made top notch strops. I got the first one ten years ago and I would describe it as a luxury product - it was flawless. That's meaningful with leather because as natural product there are inevitably flaws, so you have to be very choosy and throw away stuff that's just as functional. He didn't throw those away though, he made them into 'basic' strops at very low cost, which I thought was great. I've been able to get a basic strop with each of my orders and give it to a needy member.

In any case, I think, as a result of the discussions here he pioneered the 3" wide strop, and he said that extra width required his design with three screws. The fact that his designs have been copied 1:1 by others as their own I think is indicative.
Sometimes it's fun to read those old threads on the forum

Personally, I prefer 2.5" wide strops and I like my vintage strops best, but for a new strop I think Tony Miller is one of the best, if not the best option out there at that price point. Of course, there is the well known issue with availability but I always liked that he's straight up with the whole thing. To me it's much more off-putting when a company lies to me and people pretend to be something they aren't.
I always find it very cool that all of us are so different. Still pretty much all of us prioritize family, religion, friends, etc. before hobbies, business, money, etc., thank God