Thread: Tony Miller strops

Hi,

I'm new to all this but researched the forum and found a lot of post sending me to Tony Miller strops for my first one.

Ain't looking for nothing fancy but something good.

Been on it's website and he seems to be off work for a while and I don't see the recommended strop on the available list, my choice based on my readings would be a 3" wide red latigo strop, in the cheapest form available.

Can anyone how and where I can get one ?

Thanks

Go to straightrazordesign.com they have a fantastic selection. Including a 3" red latigo strop

+1 on SRD strops. They're amazing quality

If you do get the chance to buy a Tony Miller, make sure to drop the extra $10 or so bucks for the practice strop. You'll be oh so glad you did.

Was looking at SRD strops and saw that they also have STRAIGHT RAZOR DESIGNS 3" PREMIUM PADDLE STROP.

What's your take on paddle strops would it actually be easier to use than a regular strop as they're is absolutely no cupping possible (or at least less) ?

It sounds like it would be better for traveling and it's double sided ...

Any cues on those ?

Thanks

TM is very good. SRD has great reviews and remarks all the time. I personally have not tried one nor own one. Yet....

There are many "practice/ beginner" strop options. Just check around. I do like that TM offers a practice strop for purchase along with the other strops.

All have given good advice here. Rup Razor option being a good choice as well.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

I'm going the Rup Razor Filly route to start with. No heart break if I knick or cut it, the 2" width forces learning the X-pattern, and the CrO on the back lets me put off the decision of buying a barber hone, or coticule, or other stones, while I learn more about the hobby. Hopefully, Tony will be back in production by that time.

jpbiker,

Personally, I use paddle strops almost exclusively; an SRD 3" and many Neil Miller 3" paddles are my staples.

Have fun !

best regards

Russ

Alright, Here's my two cents:

I would reccommend the SRD Red latigo in 3 inch. Easiest to use and learn on. And, as some people have said, it's built with modular (deconstructable) construction, so if you nick it, it's like you're nicking a reasonably cheap strop, because the replacement leather is only 30$-ish. No heartbreak there.

Also, I would recommend, if you want to go higher in price, SRD 3" Premium IV (Bridle leather) It just can't be beat at all (without costing 100$+) It's just a phenominal strop, and if you drop the extra 10$ for the extra long version, you really won't regret it. I can't say enough about this strop.

Also: if you want to try a paddle (which actually works quite well, and is excellent for travel) the SRD Paddle has had many good things said about it. The scrub leather back functions like a linnen pre-strop, and the Premium I stropping leather is just wonderful.

However, a bit more pricey than the standard paddle, the SRD Modular Paddle is just in a tier of its own. This thing is brilliant and boy does it WORK. Magnetized strips so you can use whichever material you want. This beauty comes with a top quality bottle of diamond spray, two felt pads (which, in my opinion, means spray one felt with the diamond and use it for touchups/resharpening when the blade starts to tug, and use the other as a "linen component") a Scrub leather prestrop (which works great) and a Premium I stropping surface (which is my favorite stropping material ever, second only to the Bridle leather) And I've heard from Lynn that they're working on making leather pads out of the majority of their stropping materials, so the modular paddle can do damn near everything.

So, I would recommend, if price is negligible: If you want to have everything you'll need for the first half year-full year of razoring (or if you don't have a barber's hone) the Modular paddle. If you have a barber's hone, definitely get the Bridle (Premium IV) Hanging strop.

However, if you need to keep an eye on price: Get the Paddle strop if space is tight, or you travel a lot, paddles work great for that.. However, if you have a place to hang it (don't hang it in the bathroom, the humidity kills it) and the room to use it, go for the SRD Red Latigo. You'll love it.

Good Luck.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Mea culpa, I didn't have the time to check the price before I went to class, and forgot to confirm afterwards. My post has been changed to be more accurate. Sorry for the misinformation.

Also, I am pretty sure that the TM components are on par, price wise. Might be a slight deviation, but I haven't talked to Mr. Miller about leather replacements, I've only ever ordered a cloth from him, and his site doesn't list prices for just the leather.

Sorry again for any numbers I had wrong. They've been corrected.

However, I still recommend either the SRD Modular paddle or Bridle if they can be afforded, depending on what you want them to do/how much space you have... If not, SRD Red Latigo or plain paddle. I have yet to see anything that can beat my SRD Strops (This is, of course, barring the 100$+ strops)

I just get stellar results from them every time