A new home for my strop

I'm just 3 weeks into using a straight razor, and my SRD English Bridle strop has been in search of a worthy home. I had placed a hook on a shelf in a linen cupboard beside my sink. Before my shave I had to open the cupboard door and hang the strop on the hook.

The problem: The cupboard door, strop, and I blocked the entrance into the bathroom - adding an obstacle to SWMBO's busy mornings. Should such a strop be delegated to hang in a cupboard, hidden from admiring eyes??

The solution: see below. Now my strop & I are out of the traffic pattern, and my strop has a functional frame, at a focal point in the shave den. This is my very first project with my new scroll saw. Let me say that learning to use a straight razor has been much easier than learning to use a scroll saw. I went through 4 blades making the strop board. Let's just hope that doesn't happen in my SR learning process:)

I really like this. Great job! Hmmmm, think I'm going to have to copy this idea. How did you attach it to the wall so it is sturdy? :)

Thanks Sharp,

Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery...

It's made of 1/2" thick project oak wood from Lowe's. Hidden behind the strop are 3 wood screws, with the highest being under the "rivets" at the top of the strop and the lowest under the lower "rivets". The third screw is at the midpoint. The wood screws are counter-sunk (is "sunk" correct??) making flat heads of the screws just below the wood surface, and they are lag-screwed into the wall. I was fortunate that there was a stud directly behind the spot I chose to hang it, so I don't think it's going anywhere:). My only concern is that the force on the knob is a few inches above the top screw into the wall - I guess there's a slim chance the wood could begin to crack between the knob and the top screw. However, it doesn't budge even when applying more force than one should for correct stropping.

It is a very affordable option for mounting a strop as my total investment was approximately $12. That is, if you ignore the sweat equity and the $250 purchase of the scroll saw - hey, I "needed" that sucker anyway:) The wood was $10 and the drawer-pull knob was $2. I already had the stain and the matte finish spray varnish.

If you want to copy any of the design, PM me & I'll give you more details.

Greg

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Originally Posted by sharp

I really like this. Great job! Hmmmm, think I'm going to have to copy this idea. How did you attach it to the wall so it is sturdy? :)

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I like it alot. I've been looking for a proper place to hang my strop as well. I'll have to explore similar options. I like the detail, very creative. Great Job!!!

I hung mine behind the door to my Man Cave.

I got a 4" square piece of Corian, beveled the corners, and screwed it to a stud with a loop from the hardware store.. Works good, it's out of the way and I close the door for privacy and to aid concentration while I'm stropping!

Attachment 42754

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

I'm just 3 weeks into using a straight razor, and my SRD English Bridle strop has been in search of a worthy home. I had placed a hook on a shelf in a linen cupboard beside my sink. Before my shave I had to open the cupboard door and hang the strop on the hook.

The problem: The cupboard door, strop, and I blocked the entrance into the bathroom - adding an obstacle to SWMBO's busy mornings. Should such a strop be delegated to hang in a cupboard, hidden from admiring eyes??

The solution: see below. Now my strop & I are out of the traffic pattern, and my strop has a functional frame, at a focal point in the shave den. This is my very first project with my new scroll saw. Let me say that learning to use a straight razor has been much easier than learning to use a scroll saw. I went through 4 blades making the strop board. Let's just hope that doesn't happen in my SR learning process:)

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Wow! That really turned out nice. You did a great job framing it beautifully.

Great job both of you. I just hang mine in a perfect space between the closet door and the bathroom door. iPhone photo's........

One of my favorite strops was such a good match for my vanity that I could not resist. Just hangs on a strop hook made for a boat. It's my bathroom, not hers so I could get away with it! :)

LZ6,

Nice! I really like the silverwork at the top of the strop. Is that part of the strop, or is it part of the hook? The strop looks as though it was made to go with the woodwork. Excellent!

Although she didn't openly object, my wife humored me in letting me hang my strop on display. I'm not certain, but I think she viewed it as one of those "chose your battles wisely" situations. The tacit understanding is that I'll make a doll bed for my daughter's 2 American Girl dolls with scroll work headboards. Ah, the delicate "negotiations" of love...

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Originally Posted by lz6

One of my favorite strops was such a good match for my vanity that I could not resist. Just hangs on a strop hook made for a boat. It's my bathroom, not hers so I could get away with it! :)

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That is a great project, And I love the detailing at the top and bottom.
I just ordered my first strop. A modular paddle form SRP and haven't been sure where to store it and the rest of my shaving gear. This gives me some ideas I hadn't previously thought of. Thanks for the inspiration.

By the way if you are worried about that nob on top eventually loosening up just take it to the hardware store with you and see if they have a Hanger bolt with a long enough screw thread side to go into the stud.

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

LZ6,

Nice! I really like the silverwork at the top of the strop. Is that part of the strop, or is it part of the hook? The strop looks as though it was made to go with the woodwork. Excellent!

Although she didn't openly object, my wife humored me in letting me hang my strop on display. I'm not certain, but I think she viewed it as one of those "chose your battles wisely" situations. The tacit understanding is that I'll make a doll bed for my daughter's 2 American Girl dolls with scroll work headboards. Ah, the delicate "negotiations" of love...

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The strop is a Kanayama and the silverwork is a part of the strop and binds the leather to the coarse linen strop. I love it dearly.

"chose you battles wisely", works for all and most certainly your daughter who will be encouraging you to get another strop........:)

My dear LinacMan:

That strop hook is a work of art, and well deserving of the SRD 3" bridle strop.

Gentlemen, I must admit that everyone's strop setup is a work of art. I always envy those who can work so well with their hands.

Regards to you all,
Obie

Thank you for your your comments and you're welcome for the inspiration.

Thanks for the idea about the Hanger bolt. I'm a real novice at woodworking, but always want to learn more. If I were independently wealthy, I'd quit my job and learn to make furniture, built-in cabinetry, etc.

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Originally Posted by gandrw

That is a great project, And I love the detailing at the top and bottom.
I just ordered my first strop. A modular paddle form SRP and haven't been sure where to store it and the rest of my shaving gear. This gives me some ideas I hadn't previously thought of. Thanks for the inspiration.

By the way if you are worried about that nob on top eventually loosening up just take it to the hardware store with you and see if they have a Hanger bolt with a long enough screw thread side to go into the stud.

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Very nice! That looks really great..! :bow

Lovely work, indeed! I can't believe that this is the result of your first foray with the scroll-saw - very impressive1

Regards,
Neil

Thanks Neil,

As the saying goes "a blind squirel finds an acorn every now and then". Actually it just goes to show you what brute force and ignorance can accomplish:)

Greg

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Lovely work, indeed! I can't believe that this is the result of your first foray with the scroll-saw - very impressive1

Regards,
Neil

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You and me both on the if I where independently wealthy idea.
I'd find a master Wooden Boat or Kayak builder that would let me apprentice under them. And would also dabble in furniture.
Have you done any wooden Scales for razors?

No I haven't attempted scales. I just held my first straight razor ever in my life just about 3 weeks ago. Maybe one day before too long...

I just fell in love with the idea of woodworking after spending a Saturday afternoon years ago with one of my clients who did woodworking for a career. He had a shop behind his house where he made the most beautiful custome cabinetry and furniture. He had an old craftsman style house in midtown Memphis (built in the 1920's) that he'd totally restored. He'd matched the trimwork in an addition to the house with the original trimwork, built a distressed entertainment center, etc. - all by himself. I was blown away. What a craftsman! What a life!

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Originally Posted by gandrw

You and me both on the if I where independently wealthy idea.
I'd find a master Wooden Boat or Kayak builder that would let me apprentice under them. And would also dabble in furniture.
Have you done any wooden Scales for razors?

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...and home of mine strops :-)

Attachment 42868

Nice. Much too handsome a strop to delegate to a dark closet.

Greg,

I was looking through the SOTD thread and saw your strop mount and thought to myself "Hey, I remember commenting on that thread a while back". I still love this idea. You inspired me to order a premium IV English Bridle from SRD and I'll be pondering how I may display it. Thanks again for an awesome idea. Shave On!

Gentlemen,

Wonderful works of art from those who were kind enough to display it. :bow

One question comes up however: each and every strop i've seen was "out in the open", so to speak, and some are displayed in the bathroom. Do you protect your strop normally?? i have learned that humidity is an enemy to strops........ And if you protect your strops: how do you do this??

Regards,

RazorBack
(STILL in the learning process)

Hey Razorback,

I guess I'm blessed that I have a large bathroom with 10' ceilings and an exhaust fan inside & outside of the shower stall. Even after long hot showers, our mirrors have never fogged. I would imagine that this could be an issue with a smaller bathroom but don't know for sure.

Greg

Looks great !!

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

Hey Razorback,

I guess I'm blessed that I have a large bathroom with 10' ceilings and an exhaust fan inside & outside of the shower stall. Greg

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No offense, but what kind of house is this: right out of "Dynasty"?? :dropjaw:

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

Even after long hot showers, our mirrors have never fogged. I would imagine that this could be an issue with a smaller bathroom but don't know for sure.

Greg

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An issue indeed. After entering the shower (while SWMBO is taking one), i'm always surprised i can actually SEE her throuh the "fog". Goes to show how hot (AND steamy) her showers can be. I can imagine that my strop wouldn't last long........IF i kept it there

Regards,

RazorBack

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Originally Posted by RazorBack

No offense, but what kind of house is this: right out of "Dynasty"?? :dropjaw:

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No offense taken:) After 6 years in a master bathroom that you couldn't shut the door while someone was standing at the sink (without hitting someone in the backside) we decided we couldn't take it anymore:). What we have now is not quite out of "Dynasty", but definitely roomy. The pictures were taken with a wide angle lens, so things are not quite as large as they appear.

Straight Razor Place Forums - LinacMan's Album: Shave Den

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Originally Posted by RazorBack

An issue indeed. After entering the shower (while SWMBO is taking one), i'm always surprised i can actually SEE her throuh the "fog". Goes to show how hot (AND steamy) her showers can be. I can imagine that my strop wouldn't last long........IF i kept it there

Regards,

RazorBack

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What about placing a hook, or even a board similar to mine in your bathroom and keeping the strop out of the "mist" in a safe place. When you strop, take it out of hiding and place on the hook/board, then return it to safe keeping after your strop?

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

What we have now is not quite out of "Dynasty", but definitely roomy.

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THAT was the word i was looking for: "Roomy" (FAR BETTER than "Dynasty"......)

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Originally Posted by LinacMan

What about placing a hook, or even a board similar to mine in your bathroom and keeping the strop out of the "mist" in a safe place. When you strop, take it out of hiding and place on the hook/board, then return it to safe keeping after your strop?

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This IS a good plan; now i only have to overcome my lazyness, because when i find a place for certain things (in this case a strop) i like to keep it there. Saves me time and EFFORT.
But definitely a good plan!! :bow

Regards,

RazorBack

Hello, Greg:

That bathroom will be perfect for the gentleman shaver's corner of paradise. Well done, my good man.

Regards,
Obie