Thread: Draw

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking it might be time to get a new strop.

I could use a bit of information if possible.

The three strops I am interested in are:

1) Cherry Buffalo Leather Strop with Cotton/Nylon Back (my choice of back)

2)Black Latigo Leather Strop with Cotton/Nylon Back(my choice of back)

3)Back copper canyon veg tan cowhide Strop with Cotton/Nylon(my choice of back)

I currently have a 3inch bridal leather stop but I have no idea what its draw is.

I would like to get a strop with a different draw but as I don't know what I already have it's a tricky one.

All the strops I am considering are 3inch extra long 27inch with a 20inch usable area

How long have you been stropping and how good are your edges?

Why do you think you need a new strop?

Which maker are you looking at? Different strop finishes/makers can produce different finishes.

It can take at least a year of stropping to get to the point where you are consistently improving an edge. And 2-3 years to get to the point that a different strop will make an improvement.

Horse is my favourite. Medium light draw. Ezra Aurthur has a nice as does all the small producers. Cordovan is too fast, glassy for me and the others are too heavy of a draw to be my fav.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

How long have you been stropping and how good are your edges?

Why do you think you need a new strop?

Which maker are you looking at? Different strop finishes/makers can produce different finishes.

It can take at least a year of stropping to get to the point where you are consistently improving an edge. And 2-3 years to get to the point that a different strop will make an improvement.

I haven't been stropping long but I like to think I picked it up reasonably well.

My edges are consistent I think and I don't blunt my razors or cut my strop any more. My edges feel smoother after a good stropping but that isn't really anything to do with why I want another strop.

what's the strop version of RAD?

I have grown my rotation quite a bit and have gone from one to three brushes with another planned the next time i go to the stores.

My strop is lonely

The maker is a guy I have used several times on eBay. He's a real straight shaver with a lot of experience.

Have a look, you will also be able to see the strops if you look at his items for sale.

https://www.ebay.ca/sch/mslater777/m...1&_ipg=&_from=

Originally Posted by STF

I would like to get a strop with a different draw

This is almost guaranteed, even if you bought the same strop again! My favorites are horse hide and boar.

Make mine horse shell cordovan for that glass smooth fast draw and English linen.

Bob

Early on I went to a meet and was talking about strops with Hidestoart. I told him that I liked a fast, light, draw and he made a face. He then had me strop on about seven different leathers, both different animals and different tanning and treatments. I would call all of the strops he had me try as fast with a light draw, but they were all very different from each other. He made his point.

For a reference Bridle is usually associated with having a lighter draw than Latigo. If I had SAD I might be tempted to try the Buffalo with the secondary different from whatever you have now with your bridle.

If you can ever attend a meet it is a great place to sample a number of strops and get an idea of what you like.

None of those strops appear to have been made from smooth strop quality leather, but are textured and finished leathers more for belts, purses and craft projects..

These are ok for a first strop where the possibility of cutting and nicking it are high, even then Tony Miller has a much better-quality beginner strops in the same price range.

Sharpton has some very nice pristine vintage strops, in the BST, they are a bit more, but are quality, lifetime strops. Vintage strops can be a great buy capable of producing fine edges.

There is also eBay and if you are willing to do a bit of judicious buying and perhaps a bit of clean up, you can get a good vintage strop that will last another lifetime.

Personally, I would pass on these. If you feel you are past the strop nicking stage, invest in a quality strop, new or vintage, then as your stropping continues to improve you can make a real difference in your edges.

Stropping is the final finish you will put on an edge before you shave, it is not the place to scrimp once you have technique down.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

None of those strops appear to have been made from smooth strop quality leather, but are textured and finished leathers more for belts, purses and craft projects..

These are ok for a first strop where the possibility of cutting and nicking it are high, even then Tony Miller has a much better-quality beginner strops in the same price range.

Sharpton has some very nice pristine vintage strops, in the BST, they are a bit more, but are quality, lifetime strops. Vintage strops can be a great buy capable of producing fine edges.

There is also eBay and if you are willing to do a bit of judicious buying and perhaps a bit of clean up, you can get a good vintage strop that will last another lifetime.

Personally, I would pass on these. If you feel you are past the strop nicking stage, invest in a quality strop, new or vintage, then as your stropping continues to improve you can make a real difference in your edges.

Stropping is the final finish you will put on an edge before you shave, it is not the place to scrimp once you have technique down.

You make an excellent point.

I will give those eBays one a miss and look elsewhere. I know Tony Miller makes really fine strops and if I lived in the States I would certainly get one.

The reason I can't get a Tony Miller is basically the exchange rate and the $30ish for shipping.

I will check out some of the Canadian Stores.

Another thing to bear in mind is that draw has nothing to do with finesse, draw is nothing more than personal preference.
Unfortunately as mentioned different manufacturers have different processes for their tanning. Latigo is renowned for being a heavy draw but the new Latigo by Horween has a wonderful light to medium draw.

From my personal experience with strops draw would be rated from heavy to light thus.

Chromexal
Oil tanned
Latigo
Bridal
Vegetable tanned
Shell