Thread: Jeans/ Cotton/ Whatever

I've read of people using jeans as a strop.
I have an old pair I have considered cutting a strip out of.

But, just how good of a strop actually is it?

OR,

Does it tend to perform more like the cotton or linen type strops that typically accompany leather? Could it essentially replace a linen strop since I don't yet have one?

I dont see why you cant use the denim as a strop at all. You may need to do a double thickness of it if you are making a hanging strop though, because a single length of denim may well have to much stretch and flex in it.

I made a denim flatbed hone for use with 0.5 micron diamond spray, and it works absolutely brilliantly!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-homemade.html

I'm not sure how it compares to other materials when its unpasted as I have not done a comparison, but I cant think of a particular reason why it wouldnt work. As long as the denim is clean it should be fine!

Good luck!

Yes, denim works just fine. The cloth component I use before every shave is denim. It works a charm and has never steered me wrong.

Mine works nicely.

I just cut out a rectangle from some old jeans, sewed it into a tube, then turned it inside out - no edge to catch on. (You could probably just cut out the strip and strop away - I thought this would look nicer and be more durable).

I could have made fittings for the ends, but I just tie it to my towel rail (can't do that with a leather strop!)

All the best,
Michael.

For Rick Boone

Here is a photo of a piece of denim bluejean material I wrapped around balsawood and stapled it onto the bottom of the wood. That white powder is cerium oxide .5 micron. That's the stuff used to polish telescope lenses and a few other things.

You could also use a polishing compound called "YELLOW" or diamond spray or CrOx etc on the denim.....

Hope this helps you.....

Actually I was wondering exactly that this week. I need a strop for travelling and would like to make one out of the millions of old jeans I have. Would it be good enough as a single component strop - no leather?

Originally Posted by v76

Would it be good enough

good question - It might depend on your personal standard of shaving comfort

Denim is actually not a bad material for a pre-leather strop. It does also work pretty well with diamond, chromium and cerium pastes. It actually also is not too bad with the diamond spray. Keeping a very thin or sparse amount on it is key. I have found that it needs to be pretty taught however. I have tried both a thicker or newer piece from jeans I have out grown and thinner stuff from a worn out pair and prefer the newer stuff better. Have not tried to shave straight off it without going to leather, but would be interested in hearing the results if anyone does.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

Denim is actually not a bad material for a pre-leather strop. It does also work pretty well with diamond, chromium and cerium pastes. It actually also is not too bad with the diamond spray. Keeping a very thin or sparse amount on it is key. I have found that it needs to be pretty taught however. I have tried both a thicker or newer piece from jeans I have out grown and thinner stuff from a worn out pair and prefer the newer stuff better. Have not tried to shave straight off it without going to leather, but would be interested in hearing the results if anyone does.
Lynn

Thanks Lynn, I'll make one in the next couple of weeks and let you know how it goes.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Have not tried to shave straight off it without going to leather, but would be interested in hearing the results if anyone does.

Lynn

I'll try that tomorrow and let you know how it goes.