Thread: Beginner Strop...

Is the JEMICO 18" RUSSIAN LEATHER RAZOR STROP W/PASTE advertised on eBay for $31 (with paste) good for a beginner like me??? See link below.

Please advice.

JEMICO 18" RUSSIAN LEATHER RAZOR STROP W/PASTE - eBay (item 330392752517 end time Feb-04-10 16:01:06 PST)e.

I have no experience with those, however, Illinois strops are great for beginners, theyre about the same price, and I know a lot of the guys around here have them, and use them.. They work.

Another option would be the Filly by Ruprazor. For 20 bucks you get your leather component, and a crox side for touchups

A higher quality Illinois: Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

Lower Illinois: Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

The Filly (GREAT for beginning): RupRazor - The Filly

However, I recommend the route I took. A Tony Miller Artisan strop... They are some of the BEST strops you can get, and, for an additional 7 dollars, you can add a Practice strop (DO NOT mistake a practice strop for a lower quality strop. Tony's practice strops are still great no matter how much of a pro you are) Do your self a favor, get a TM red Latigo and Linen. It'll last you FOREVER, and the practice strop will let you learn, and make sure you don't dice the big guy up.

And Mr. Miller is a very nice guy to work with, who hand-makes top quality products.

Good luck!
Jeremy

Oh, right, Mr. Miller's strops are available at

The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company

and the Artisan Latigo in 3inches (my personal favorite) is here:

3" Artisan "New Standard" Strop - The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company

If you get that one, go with the linen as the fabric, and Red Latigo for the leather

IDK much about those Jemico's, but I know that for a beginner strap you want an inexpensive one, as you are guaranteed to nick it up a bit.

There is a strap called the "Filly" which is sold by I believe ruprazor? Maybe somebody can confirm.

Another excellent choice is a Tony Miller Red Latigo with a linen backside. You can also get a practice strap from him, which will be helpful in increasing the life of your "good" strap.

Originally Posted by sapito318

IDK much about those Jemico's, but I know that for a beginner strap you want an inexpensive one, as you are guaranteed to nick it up a bit.

There is a strap called the "Filly" which is sold by I believe ruprazor? Maybe somebody can confirm.

Another excellent choice is a Tony Miller Red Latigo with a linen backside. You can also get a practice strap from him, which will be helpful in increasing the life of your "good" strap.

The Filly is by RupRazor, Ken Rup is a great guy to do business with

It and the TM are linked above. I linked the 3inch, since that is the easiest one for beginners (and my personal favorite still.)

I say get a Filly. It's $20 so if you take a huge gash in it while learning how to strop you feel like you've just flushed away a lot of money. It's also a very good strop for the price. I have one and am happy I chose to start with it.