Thread: Bismarck Razorstrop

Got myself a "Bismarck Razorstrop" from a local shop. I like the feel of the leather. But the linen side feels very stiff and rough. Is this a good thing? The only fabric I used before was much softer.

When i first started with S.R. and buying strops i didnt like a stiff secondary material. I would wash them a few times and use a little fabric softener. Dry hanging with weight attached to cut down on the shrinkage.

Now, i like a course secondary strop. I find the harder/courser the material the better it does its job. So you could wash them. Beat them, roll them across the back of a chair, lots of ways to soften them but i recommend leaving the stiffness.

BTW, a picture of what it looks like might help us in giving opinions on what someone might do or not do.

Originally Posted by Gasman

When i first started with S.R. and buying strops i didnt like a stiff secondary material. I would wash them a few times and use a little fabric softener. Dry hanging with weight attached to cut down on the shrinkage.

Now, i like a course secondary strop. I find the harder/courser the material the better it does its job. So you could wash them. Beat them, roll them across the back of a chair, lots of ways to soften them but i recommend leaving the stiffness.

BTW, a picture of what it looks like might help us in giving opinions on what someone might do or not do.

OK! Let me know what you think.

Try it as here. See what happens.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/strops/...eft-strop.html

I the pic the white just looks white. Does it habe a material pattern to it? It does look stiff. Just remember that the secondary is for realigning and cleaning the edge so a course material does the job better. If its got a pattern to it i might roll it over a chair back to lossen it up a touch then just use it. Ive read others will hang a rolling pin and work it over the pin rolling back and forth. But thats just me. I like them a bit stiff. At least it is nice and flat. Good looking strop.

That thing is in stellar shape from the looks of the pics. You can hand rub them too to help break it in faster. I, like Jerry, like a stiffer secondary. It’s a matter of personal preference.

Originally Posted by Gasman

I the pic the white just looks white. Does it habe a material pattern to it? It does look stiff. Just remember that the secondary is for realigning and cleaning the edge so a course material does the job better. If its got a pattern to it i might roll it over a chair back to lossen it up a touch then just use it. Ive read others will hang a rolling pin and work it over the pin rolling back and forth. But thats just me. I like them a bit stiff. At least it is nice and flat. Good looking strop.

Oh, yes, sorry for the fuzzy image. It has fabric pattern to it. What scared me is that my old fabric strop feels like....fabric. This one feels much stiffer than most fabrics, and I was concerned that it would "sandpaper" my blade. But if stiff is good, I'll certainly give it a go.

Some folks, me included in the beginning hate the zippy sound that comes from a stiff secondary strop. Now it doesnt bother me. It will soften up a bit with use but its made stiff for a reason. You should try the one Sharptonn adds to his Boar Strops.its not real stiff but the courseness of that material is extreme. But i alzo find it does its job great.

It took me a while to get used to a zippy strop. They are still not my favourite. I have on occasion broke them in a little by vigorously passing them back and forth over a well cleaned piece of pipe. It did wonders for one of my hemp strops. I agree that it looks like a great find.