Thread: Using belts as strops

Is it effective? Is it as good, bit worse or a lot worse than using a regular strop? Does the belt have to be veg tanned or it doesn't matter? Which side of the belt should I use? What other things should I keep in mind?

From everything I have read, a belt works just fine as long as it has no metal bits on it obviously. A wider belt would be better - maybe a couple inches. But as long as it's reasonably clean and in good shape, there should be no problem with it.

A couple people here have been using a belt for quite a while, and say it works fine, so I imagine it's not a *lot* worse than a purposeful strop.

I don't think tanning is necessary. As far as which side, think of its purpose. "If I were a razor-sharp blade with microscopic bits of misaligned metal I wanted straightened, which side would I use?"

Originally Posted by MistressNomad

As far as which side, think of its purpose. "If I were a razor-sharp blade with microscopic bits of misaligned metal I wanted straightened, which side would I use?"

Damn you, I'm not a razor-sharp blade, I don't know which side they would like better

Han,

A leather belt will work for a strop. They are narrower than your typical strop, so you will have to perfect your X stroke to get all the edge into the program. Also, older belts tend to cup, at least those which have spent their formative years around my waist. If that's the case with yours, you'll have to work that out before stropping. Use the top, grain side and don't use one with any stitching.

good luck

Well, to my mind's eye, I wouldn't imagine using very "natural" leather would be the best. As in, the type that may still have a sort of fibrous feel to it.

I would think either totally smooth, or a gentle suede would be best. It gives an even consistency, which I think would then translate to your blade.

I wouldn't subject my razors to a pants belt. Go to a leather shop and get a proper piece of top grain cowhide 8" x 3" and glue it to a piece of floor tile.

Do your razor a favor not to mention your face.

Jerry
~~~

I like to use my belt to hold up my pants and my strop to strop my razors. Maybe I'm weird like that...

Seriously, though, each tool is designed for a specific job. You may be able to "force" one tool to do more than one job, but it will not function as well as the tool designed for the job.

All good advice. I was assuming our questioner to be operating in a minimal budget situation and was looking to make-do until greater funding was available.

An 8" x 3" piece of leather glued onto tile or wood is about the least expensive tool to strop a razor. holli4pirating is right to say , use the right tool for the job. I strongly agree.

Jerry
~~~

When i started SR shaving i was on a budget and used my 2" belt for a few months with pretty good success,I use a strop now but my belt let me get by till the funds grew