Thread: Beginner Strop - leather or leather & linen

Being new to this, I've got the razors on the way, already honed, so I'm now looking to get a strop so I can use them. My question is, besides not getting something too expensive as I'm told to expect the nicks and cuts from learning, should I get one with just leather (like a Filly which I've heard is suggested a lot) or should I go right into a strop with leather and linen. thanks.

Both !!!!!!

I wouldn't say "expect" nicks, but don't be too discouraged if you get them. I've never nicked a strop in the ~crosses fingers~.

I would highly recommend a good strop from the start. For example:

You buy an SRD premium. The higher cost makes you more careful with it, so you don't nick it as much. In the event you DO nick it beyond repair, a replacement piece of leather is available from the vendor for the same cost as a Filly.

Ergo:
a.) You may not nick up your strop too much to use, and save money by not replacing a strop.
b.) If you do nick the strop, you're out no more money that if you started with the Filly... and you have linen/webbing and very nice leather to start with.

+ 1 to Benjamin's comments. For what its worth I just got my SRD Premium IV and I really like it a lot.

I'll be contrary. I'm not saying to buy a cheap crummy strop but I would not buy a premium strop as my first one. A lessor strop will do the same job and each time you use it you won't be worried about nicks and cuts. Most of us have more than one strop and you will always have use for more than one anyway.

Yep, get leather and linen. I have tried just leather and I mush prefer the results when I use both.

Dont worry too much about nicks, the SRD strops are modular so you can replace the leather for not much outlay.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by bmc1979

Being new to this, I've got the razors on the way, already honed, so I'm now looking to get a strop so I can use them. My question is, besides not getting something too expensive as I'm told to expect the nicks and cuts from learning, should I get one with just leather (like a Filly which I've heard is suggested a lot) or should I go right into a strop with leather and linen. thanks.

Leather + fabric.

One of the vendors has a fine strop for which you can
order replacement bits for a very fair price should you
cut it badly.

The ability to replace part of the strop has value if you get serious
about honing has merit ... While not commonly needed day to day a
pasted strop can put a final polish on a razor that will last
a long time. Just replace the canvas with pasted canvas
when honing and then replace with the clean fabric for day in day
out stropping.

One of the vendors also has a fabric and felt strop
for those that want a pasted strop handy.

Do get a quality strop. Note that you strop a razor each time you use
it so a strop gets used a lot and is as important as the quality
of the steel (Not expensive - quality).