Thread: Strop Recommendation

Hello All,

For my first strop, I purchased a Ruprazor Filly strop. I think this strop is a great learning tool; however, I think it has a high learning curve to it. I find that I am having difficulty using this strop due to it being narrow and requiring an x-pattern. In fact, I am worried that I may have dulled my razor using this strop for the first time. I was thinking of getting a 3-inch wide strop and was wondering if anyone could provide any recommendations. I am somewhat interested in SRD's Premium IV. In the future, I plan on going back to the Filly to learn the x-pattern, but for now I would like to use something easier so that I can focus on my shaving technique. Thanks for all help.

Hi. altshaver;

I butchered my 2" Illinois learning to (or trying to learn) to strop my razors, and needed a replacement. I can't speak about the Premium IV SRD strops, but I recently purchased a 3" red latigo SRD strop and have been very happy with it. It has a nice draw, nicely fits the blade length of all my razors, and makes my face very happy as well.

Larry

heres one for you Kanayama Llama Brand 80000 Strop: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

oh i forgot thats not 3"

seriously tho i got no idea whats better but people tend to like the Bridle

My first strop was made from an old pair of jeans. I made it wide so I wouldn't have to focus on learning too many aspects. The cost was great too.

Stropping is one of those things that seems pretty straightforward and simple until you try it and then you learn there's more to it than meets the eye. Yet it's one of the most important things you must master if you will be using a straight razor.

I don't know that a wider strop will make it any easier. I have both and to tell you the truth I prefer the narrower ones. Most still use the x pattern even with a wider strop. You just need to practice until you get it right.

Originally Posted by janivar123

heres one for you Kanayama Llama Brand 80000 Strop: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

oh i forgot thats not 3"

seriously tho i got no idea whats better but people tend to like the Bridle

I am sure glad they are out of stock today. My SAD
wiggled my credit card very badly...

First of all, allow me to tell you that there is no substitute for good stropping technique/skills, no strop in the world would give you a keen edge if your technique is not good. The other thing that has become evident is that beyond a certain threshold, every strop would do its job. A lot of people in this forum recommend premium strops because in their view they work better, I certainly doubt this. They do look great and the craftsmanship is superior for sure., good examples are Tony Miller's, SRD and HandAmerican. I have been very happy with my Illinois 827, which is a Russian strop; the different being that you strop on the rough side of the leather. For comparison, the 127 is the opposite. It also includes linen, which can be pasted in the reverse, this is what I do with my diamond paste. It is wide enough (2 1/2") to accommodate most razors but you still have learn and use an X-pattern (this is just the best way to obtain more consistent results). It is also long enough to allow a good smooth stroke. It is pretty solidly built but lacks the bells and whistles that others have and set them apart in a different category. And although I do not think price should play too much of a role in the decision, considering how long strops last, you can buy either the 827 or the 127 for around $35. This, in my opinion is an excellent value, which is what I normally use to make my decisions.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by altshaver

Hello All,

For my first strop, I purchased a Ruprazor Filly strop. I think this strop is a great learning tool; however, I think it has a high learning curve to it. I find that I am having difficulty using this strop due to it being narrow and requiring an x-pattern. In fact, I am worried that I may have dulled my razor using this strop for the first time. I was thinking of getting a 3-inch wide strop and was wondering if anyone could provide any recommendations. I am somewhat interested in SRD's Premium IV. In the future, I plan on going back to the Filly to learn the x-pattern, but for now I would like to use something easier so that I can focus on my shaving technique. Thanks for all help.

I used a narrow Dovo Best Russian strop for my first few
years of straight shaving. I don't think that using an X-stroke
adds much to the learning curve of stropping, but I could be
wrong. Most of the strops I'm interested in these days are
3", so that's what I use, but I'd be happy with 1 1/2".

If I were you I'd stick with the filly for now, and then you can
explore other options once you've got the hang of this one.

- Scott

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

I am sure glad they are out of stock today. My SAD
wiggled my credit card very badly...

Those strops are something special, for sure. I've been lucky
enough to try one belonging to another member, but not lucky
enough to own one myself

- Scott

Thanks for the replies everyone. Ironically, I own a Kanayama 50000, but it is not to be touched until I am very good at stropping. I was thinking that a 3-inch strop would be easier to use as the width of the strop covers the whole blade's width, allowing a simpler back and forth motion with no sideways motion involved as with utilizing an x-pattern stropping technique. I was thinking that a strop like this would allow me to focus more on my shaving technique, but this might not be the case. From what most people are saying, there is not much of a difference using a 3-inch strop. I'll have to think about this for awhile. I am definitely looking forward to the day when I become skilled at stropping. Thanks again. Looking forward to any more thoughts and recommendations.