Thread: Strop ?

When i first got started i was gifted a gbs 3” strop. It has worked for me thus far. My qurstion is what is the difference between these say entry level strops and some if the better ones or the old ones i have seen in the bst that gave been reconditioned. Is it feel while stropping or noticable diffence in the stropped edge. Thanks

Both, for me. I have strops that range from heavy draw, to light n fast. I like something with a heavy draw, then progress to a lighter draw, on a freshly honed razor. For all others, I like a med. fast draw.

Yes, it's both. I just upgraded to a Llama Cordovan and, though my Latigo will still see service, I love what my new strop does to the edges. Concentrate on getting your technique down though. No point dropping big bucks before you've got that right.

Depends who you ask but think about this.

The last polish you do to a bevel and edge is on the strop. The best that edge can be, without re honing is going to be off the strop.

Is there a difference in the ability of different leather or leather finish to polish an edge?

All that means nothing if the stropper cannot properly strop. Stropping take time to learn the skill to the point you are consistently improving an edge, probably up to a year. Yes, a year.

Folks say it takes 1,000 repetition to develop a skill. If you strop every day… It takes 1,000 “perfect executions”, to perfect a skill, otherwise what are you repeating and building into muscle memory?

So, a year is probably a conservative number. Yes, a better-quality leather, better made strop can produce a better edge, but only if the stropper can strop. Does driving a Ferrari make you a better driver?

There are many quality vintage strops in the wild, remember everybody stropped and shave with a razor at one time, and horse leather was in ready supply.

Today there are artisans making quality strop at really very low cost, of equal quality. I am strop and stropping obsessed and one who believes, I can feel the difference from one strop to another.

But for the average guy? Probably not. As your stropping improves, so too will your edges.

With a higher end, or well done restored vintage strop you have a better chance of getting better feeling and more effective leather. This is not to say that some more entry level strops are all bad, not at all. Some of the Illinois strops are quite nice but you do sort of take your chances on what you get (I started out selling Illinois strops so I know first hand).

On a higher end strop you will likely get better workmanship and probably modular construction (Chicago screws rather than sewn) although some really well made strops are sewn and are worth looking at. There are some entry priced strops using good working leather that may be a little cosmetically challenged or built with less detail work but will perform great just like the high end ones. it is hard to make generalizations though as each maker/brand is different and each hide is different so even the same model of strop from the same maker may feel a little different.

As Euclid440 mentioned above, experience will show you the differences and experience can help you either get the most out of an entry level strop or teach you how to correct it.