Leather Hanging Strop

Hey guys,

So I saw on Tony's website that he's not making strops for a little while, and I've pretty much unanimously heard that his are the best. I've also noticed that nobody's selling any in the classifieds (probably since nobody wants to give up their Tony Miller if they're going to be rare now). Anyway, since it looks like I'm not going to be able to get my hands on one of those, does anyone else have a strop suggestion? I had a canvas and leather two sided paddle strop but unfortunately something must have spilled on the leather side during transit when I moved back home from school this year, and I think the leather side is pretty much not functional. I was planning on making the paddle strop my pasted strop, but that may not work now either. I'll probably need a nice leather and canvas strop for maintaining the blade and then something cheap for pasting. Any ideas or suggestions?

You might check out the strop reviews and the vendor section of the forum to see what is being offered and what is getting good reviews

I started straight shaving about a week after Tony cut back on his strops, so I was in the same boat you find yourself. I heard great things about the SRD Premium series strops (especially the modular nature of them) and almost ordered one. In the end, I opted for a Kanayama. It's the only thing I've used other than my starter Filly strop, but I really like it. The linen on it is very thick and coarse and the leather started very fast and slick, but now has some nice draw to it. I've been very pleased.

I just got an Illinois 827 and am loving it, loads of draw

Hi Scott,

I've only been at this for about 3 mos., but after reading a lot of opinions before I started, I ordered a Premium IV from SRD and so far it has served me very well. I figure if I can maintain razors on this with my limited stropping skills, any one can! The quality is excellent and being able to replace components could be a big plus.

Gerald

I have had almost every iteration of SRD strops, including the paddle, and have been very very happy with all of them. Also have a Livi loom, and a very very old dovo strop. The SRD strops stand their own with the others, although I do like the leather used for the Livi, but its not long enough for my liking, and the long loom is crazy pricey.

You really cant go wrong with an SRD strop.

As an aside, if you get any razors with a worked spine, you will probably want a second strop at any rate, as they tend to scratch the strop a bit, and you wont want that happening to anything too expensive.

Hey guys,

So I took your advice and checked on SRD for some strops and a modular paddle strop caught my eye. I wondered if anyone had used one and had any thoughts about it. I was just thinking the modular thing might be nice so that I could have a pasted surface, as well as leather and canvas surfaces, all with one strop. My only hangup would be that the surfaces are held magnetically, and I wonder if the magnet would hold during stropping. I think it probably would, but if anyone's got firsthand experience, I'd feel better about buying it.

Thanks!

Also, if I were looking at SRD hanging strops, I'd definitely be going with one of the premiums. Which one, of the four, do you suggest?

There is a review of the modular paddle here. Very versatile tool and the magnets hold fine.

Just make one. It isn't that hard. I knocked one up this arvo in just on two hours. Would have taken less time if I had have used one of the many styles of rivets instead of stitching by hand. I have yet to try it out though...Gonna do that now I reckon.


Mick

P.S Apart from the fact that I've had a little over kill on the length of the thing, it is a beautiful strop and wider than my shop bought one...Cheaper too. Works like a charm.

I'm looking into making my own too. I figure I can use the same leather that is from a leather belt.

Good on you. Get as wide a strip of Bridle leather as you need about (2-3 inches) from a tannery or if you have other uses for the stuff, buy a chunk of veg tanned grade one bovine and cut what you need from that. The hardest stuff to source is the fittings to use I reckon. You can use a ring at one end but something close to the width of the leather at the handle end will help pull it flat and evenly taunt for stropping. A large Dee would surfice and makes a reasonable handle.


Mick

Hi,

If you don't mind buying from the UK, Mr Neil Miller (Quality Razor Strops & Paddles Individually Hand Made in the UK) makes superb hanging and paddle strops :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

There is a review of the modular paddle here. Very versatile tool and the magnets hold fine.

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The modular paddle is a Glorious, glorious invention. As for Tony being on an extended Hiatus, it's a shame, as is strops are fantastic, but SRD Strops in Red latigo are pretty much the same... Both strops accomplish the same edge, they just have slight differences in feel (I personally prefer SRD's Latigo)

Also, If you want to pony up about 30$ more, SRD's Premium Strops are definitely the way to go... Especially the Bridle strop. It's like stropping on velvet leather. Absolutely excellent.

However, the Modular paddle is a wonderful tool. I prefer the surface dimensions of a hanging strop, but the paddle is so versatile, and comes with so many tools that it's a great place to start if you don't bite off more than you can chew, first!

Good Luck!
Jeremy

I ponied up and went for the bridle leather. I'm very excited for stropping on velvet. Lets pray to god that I don't knick it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

The modular paddle is a Glorious, glorious invention. As for Tony being on an extended Hiatus, it's a shame, as is strops are fantastic, but SRD Strops in Red latigo are pretty much the same... Both strops accomplish the same edge, they just have slight differences in feel (I personally prefer SRD's Latigo)

Also, If you want to pony up about 30$ more, SRD's Premium Strops are definitely the way to go... Especially the Bridle strop. It's like stropping on velvet leather. Absolutely excellent.

However, the Modular paddle is a wonderful tool. I prefer the surface dimensions of a hanging strop, but the paddle is so versatile, and comes with so many tools that it's a great place to start if you don't bite off more than you can chew, first!

Good Luck!
Jeremy

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