Thread: New Strop Recommendations

Input would be appreciated.

I find myself needing to recommend strops to folks new to using a straight. These folks aren't hobbyists, so I want to recommend new manufacture.

Currently, I recommend a Whipped Dog starter strap to start with before moving to a quality strop. I have a quality strop, though I think the maker may be getting out of the business.

Not sure if this is true, though I think of a good strop being $75 plus.

Please educate me!

Thanks!

Illinois strops have been around forever, they are quite inexpensive and a lot of guys have them as their work horses. They are typically what I recommend to new people.

When I started stropping I found a paddle strop 3” wide easiest to lean with. Then I moved to a good quality hanging strop.

Originally Posted by DZEC

When I started stropping I found a paddle strop 3” wide easiest to lean with. Then I moved to a good quality hanging strop.

+1

Stropping on a hanging strop takes a lot of coordination. You have to hold tension on the strop with one hand, hold the razor in the other and move the blade up and down the strop with uniform pressure on both strokes. If you are using a narrow strop, you also have to add a diagonal component to the stroke. For a noob, mastering that without damaging the strop or rolling the edge of the blade is a real challenge. The 3" wide paddle strop recommended by David eliminates several of the variables, thus making it an ideal choice for newcommers. As soon as the techniques necessary to use a paddle strop are mastered, it is time to add a hanging strop. That does not mean that the paddle strop does not still have utility. I like using both, or in my case, several of each type.

I, as many, have started on a Dovo / Herold strop

FWIW, I still find them very damn good strops in all honesty


Although I have a V-weave webbing on them, I think I once saw another sort of webbing on them, so I'm not sure what the current norm is for them, in any case I got a Kern juchten / russian leather strop years ago, excellent strops

Ruitertassen Natural Leather Hanging Strop is what I always recommend to new shavers. great value.

Originally Posted by Butzy

Ruitertassen Natural Leather Hanging Strop is what I always recommend to new shavers. great value.

I agree. Quality leather at a very appealing price.

i reco tony miller strops. for beginner or more experienced. i think them high quality for the price.

Originally Posted by sloanwinters

i reco tony miller strops. for beginner or more experienced. i think them high quality for the price.

Could not agree more.

This is great information. Can I get input on the strop after the starter strop? Everyone messes up their first strop - no need to get a good one. What are good quality strops? Some have already been mentioned, though more input would be great.