Thread: Thoughts on Strops for New Shavers

I'm on day three of this straight razor journey, so take what I have to say with a pound of salt.

When selecting my first items to start learning to shave, I settled on a bridle strop from SRD. Lots of posts here about starter strops and not spending too much money. You'll nick it, you'll cut it, you'll drop it in the toilet! True. But here's my thought:

I spent $95 on an SRD english bridle strop. I've used it for three days and already put a ocuple of nicks in it. Very small ones at the end closest to me that seem to occur when that back stroke stops and the razor moves very slightly forward. I'll have to work on that. But I digress.

I spent a few extra bucks on a really nice strop that I can be confident will deliver the right results if I deliver the right technique. I've put a couple of character marks in it, but nothig detrimental. But what if I do? Well, SRD sells a replacement piece of leather for $45, even less for the smaller standard leathers ($25 I think). If something irreparable happens, your out $25. The same $25 you'd be out if you bought a smaller, less prepped strop as a learner and ruined it. But with the upgraded strop you get better hardware, true handles, and a cloth second strop. Seems like a bargain to me.

This is not a bash against any person or company that makes the smaller strops and I have absolutely no affiliation with SRD. Just my $.02.

--David

That is the very logic I've been pushing all these years...

And, be honest, if you got a 20-30$ starter strop, you'd be less cautious. Since you ponied up 100$ for this one, you make sure you keep an eye on your strokes... At least I did...

And the bridle... Ah, it just works SO well.

Good luck, and happy stropping!

Cheers,
Jeremy

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

Since you ponied up 100$ for this one, you make sure you keep an eye on your strokes...

An excellent point, Zombie!

--David

I did excatly the same thing.
Bought an English bridle, long 3" wide.
Nicked it a few times when learning, and when I finally stopped nicking it, I bought a replacement.
Worked out perfectly for me.
I'm not in to buying lesser equipment just because it could get ruined, no sir, If I ruin it, then I replace it. Doing it like this leaves just one thing to worry about when learning something new; Me.

My feelings exactly. I just wrote a quick review of the Premium IV, and it is a fantastic strop. http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...tml#post577305

Robin, those strops look like (Right to left) Rock Wool Felt and Poly Web, Premium I and Herringbone cotton, Bridle (extralong) and Webbed fabric, am I correct? What's the one furthest to the left? Is that your fabled -no offense intended- Old Traditional?

With all the praises you sing for that OT, I want to try one....

Edit: Read your review... Never mind the first question, but here's another... You must have REALLY used your Premium I a LOT for it to have more draw than the bridle... Every time I've come into contact with either, the Bridle had more draw, and the Premium I less... That's kind of impressive

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

What's the back half of the Premium I?

Yes, that is indeed the http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...nal-natur.html. And yes, I have used the Premium I extensively. I will report back when I have broken in the English Bridle, but I would be surprised if it provided even more feedback than the Premium I.

Regards,
Robin

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Yes, that is indeed the http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...nal-natur.html. And yes, I have used the Premium I extensively. I will report back when I have broken in the English Bridle, but I would be surprised if it provided even more feedback than the Premium I.

Regards,
Robin

I believe, at least from my use, the I has more feedback, but the IV more draw -all breaking in being equal, of course... amount of breakin considered, I'm not surprised by your findings...

Keep me posted!

Cheers,
Jeremy

In addition to my other strops, I have SRD's Premium 1 and IV (Long Eng.Bridle) The E.B IV does have more draw. The Premium 1, is more supple, it's a really, really nice piece of leather. While stropping on either, you get strong smell of leather, which is wonderful.
I've come to prefer the IV, 25 lapps and finish up with the 1, 25 lapps, preceeded by 25 on linen or cotton. They are now my go to strops. Lynn and Don did a great job selecting leather for their strops. Really top quality stuff IMHO....