Thread: Is this this a good strop?

Hey guys. I have had this strop from the beginning. its leather is really stiff and has a bump in it. I found out that its not any good for stropping my razor. I have used that blade about 10 and haven't able to strop it yet. I just saved up some money and found this one. (go to link below)

American Made 2" Mountain Strop with D Rings

Would that one be any good for a great shave?

oh! any recommendations for shaving soap?

that will probably be a good strop (if you dont get enough answers mail the store and ask)

www.fitjarsoapinternational.com has good shave soaps, there are cheaper options out there but ill leave that to others to chime in

I can't really speak to the quality of that strop as I've not personally used one. I started with a filly strop from ruprazor. For $20, I think it was a good starter strop. I quickly decided I want to stick with straight razors and ended up ordering a Kanayama. That strop was pricey, but it's a gorgeous piece of Japanese workmanship.

As far as soaps go. There are a number of options depending on price range. I have tried the Proraso White and also Saint Charles Shave soaps. The Proraso is a nice soap that is super easy to work with. Once I figured out the soap/water ratio for the SCS soap, it's become a go to for me. I've also heard good things about Mama Bear's soaps.

Good luck!

I have three strops in my bathroom that I use. Two are from Tony Miller & one is a beauty from Ebay that I customized. All three strops are top quality. I have, also, customized several other strops for friends.

IMO, I would have absolutely no problem buying this strop. I would prefer it to be 2-1/2" wide, but 2" would mean you would need to do(learn) the "X" stroke, and that is not bad.

Good luck

Steve

I cut my teeth on a vintage pro barber 2 1/2" wide strop and moved on to a 3". I still use both. I've never used a 2" strop and I know some guys like them but I vastly prefer the wider strops. Just IME.

I really think the 2 inch strops are more a matter of economy. They will work fine with a good X stroke when stropping. They really are more for the guy who wants to spend a few less dollars in my opinion. The 2 1/2 vintage was the mainstay for generations and work quite well too. I also feel that once a person uses a 3 inch strop and gets comfortable with it, you will never go back to the smaller strops. I used 2 1/2 inch strops for over 30 years and have always been satisfied with the results.............until I tried a 3 inch and from there, I have never looked back.

To me finding a strop with the draw that I like is half the battle.

Have fun,

Lynn

What the old man said. 3" strops for life. Especially the extra long English bridle SRD one.

Originally Posted by Dudeliliy

Hey guys. I have had this strop from the beginning. its leather is really stiff and has a bump in it. I found out that its not any good for stropping my razor. I have used that blade about 10 and haven't able to strop it yet. I just saved up some money and found this one. (go to link below)

American Made 2" Mountain Strop with D Rings

Would that one be any good for a great shave?

oh! any recommendations for shaving soap?

It should be a fine strop.

Check the length and other dimensions.

It is easy to go to a longer strop....
shorter requires more care in the change.

As for shaving soaps you need to tell us what
you have now that you like and dislike.

My morning shave with Proraso Shaving Cream
was stellar. I am a big fan of Mitchell Wool Fat
and Tabac. Yesterdays stellar shave was
with DR Harris Marlborugh.

My only suggestion to you is to buy the refill
packages and keep them in inexpensive plastic tubs
or kitchen storage containers. A puck of MWF fits
in a clean 8oz cottage cheese tub and doing it
saves enough $$ for a couple pucks of other
soaps or a tube of Erasmic (day before yesterday shave).

So tell us more about what you have and like dislike.

BTW IMO, It is hard to go wrong... and if you do not yet
have Williams or Van Der Hagen soaps in the den
you are missing some classic budget winners. If you trip
over Burma shave soap try it and if you like it get more
because they just stopped making it.

wow... I just checked out Van Der Hagen soaps and i saw that the deluxe shave soap looks just like the one i had and i think i remember that box being green too! um hooked. I like that soap a lot. now i think im going to try the williams (and also rebuy Van Der Hagen soap).

Originally Posted by Dudeliliy

wow... I just checked out Van Der Hagen soaps and i saw that the deluxe shave soap looks just like the one i had and i think i remember that box being green too! um hooked. I like that soap a lot. now i think im going to try the williams (and also rebuy Van Der Hagen soap).

So many fine soaps so few shaves in a lifetime.

And yes, some days it is just shaving and peanut butter
sandwiches will do for lunch too.

Enjoy... life.