Thread: My imagination

I myself find some strops more effective than others.
They all work, some work better!
It seems to me that strops with a firmer "temper" on the top surface are more effective. Thats not that the strop itself is firm or hard but rather just the top layer. They are all firmer on top than the bottom as a rule but some are harder. I believe they may be pressed from a roller or something similar but I don't know.
Vintage Red Imp 700C has a harder surface than even the Red Imp 700. Kanayama's top surface is like plastic compaired to the backside yet they are incredibly supple in general.
I have a "Seal Skin" strop that is hard like the 700C both excellent strops and lightning quick in use(most harder strops are also fast with little to no draw) - I like that!!
I have used strops that when the edge is not coming back enough from leather alone a different harder strop will bring it back with leather alone.
I normally only use leather, when that stops being effective a canvas ride then back to leather again till it won't work again.

I personally like the feel of a heavier draw but do agree that the leather with a light draw is more aggressive. Boarhide I have found to work best out of all the leather I own and it has a very stiff surface.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I personally like the feel of a heavier draw but do agree that the leather with a light draw is more aggressive. Boarhide I have found to work best out of all the leather I own and it has a very stiff surface.

Absloutely!! I forgot to mention Boar.
A very effective strop, in fact, I had a boar strop that was too agressive. Boar strops are made in both outside of hide and inside of hide as the stropping/treated surface. Mine was the outside or the side with very large pores(hair folicle hole)as the stropping surface. I think the best ones are the inner side hide presentation and I now have one of those.
Great strops and very fast in use/draw.

Got a brand new horse hide strop, going to test how the results off of it compare to my English bridle cowhide strop.

Let us know how that works for you.