Thread: The Strop-Off and Width Preference

So, I had two thread ideas in mind, and figured I'd combine them both into one since they're similar enough... Avoid some clutter that way.

Just for grins, I wanted to compare strops with some of you guys... I happen to be a strop snob (read as: Strop Hoarder) and have a large and still growing collection (In no particular order):

SRD Modular Paddle with Premium I, Premium IV, Rough leather, a raw Felt pad, and a .5micron Diamond Felt Pad (generally used for travel)

A vintage Loom Strop that's about 1.5 inches wide and 9.5 inches (For travel when space is at a premium)

A Tony Miller Horsehide with Nylon backing (My go-to finisher, and a heavy-hitter in my regular rotation)

Tony Miller Latigo with Linen backing (this one sees the least use, which is still a few times a week! The latigo has a bit too much draw for me.)

SRD Premium IV in extra long with Poly-Web fabric (I love this one... The English Bridle leather is fantastic.)

a 2.4" Kangaroo skin strop. Just the leather, 'Roo is fantastic!

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Currently in the works/in the mail:

1 Classico Spanish Horsehide strop from a member of another forum

A new Kangaroo Custom from a friend, 3 inches with extra hangers for one of my fabrics

A "Screaming Pig" Oxhide strop

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I also have my eyes on a Kanayama, one of Mastro Livi's looms, A few more SRD strops, Some stuff from Ken Rup, a Cordovan or two, and a dash of Neil Miller's strops to finish off the collection.

Odd, I'm fairly minimalistic with razors (only 8) and I'm going to be culling my brush herd soon... But strops... I just can't stop with 'em! I need to get some nice vintage ones.

So, What do you guys have to slap steel against?

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Part 2:

I've been thinking about widths lately... Tell me what you prefer!

I have been using a 3 inch TM or SRD strop since I started a year or so ago... However, just recently, I got my first 2.5 (actually about 2.4) inch strop and must say that the X pattern is very fun and much more engaging than a 3inch strop. So, the last two strops I've ordered are both in 2.5. I've found that I can use them both just as well as eachother, and mixing things up is fun, so why not?

So, what is your favorite size (or sizes).

Regards,
Jeremy

Jeremy; I'm hearin' ya man. I too love the leather.

I've got a few I've managed to collect in a short while.

2" Vintage "Barber's Special" and a "Scorcher" horse shell.
2" Vintage Blades latigo and nylon
2.5" TM Latigo and linen
2.5" Vintage pasted Linen
2.5" Vintage Russian Shell
2.5" Vintage Black Bear hide
2.5" New Latigo
2.5" New Saddle leather
a few 2.5" canvas strops pasted with Dovo's R&B, CrOx and CeOx and plain.
A sprung paddle strop treated with CrOx and CeOx
a hard paddle strop with split grain latigo with one side top grain, and the other side the suede side.

Oh yeah... and a little Valet Autostrop treated on one side CrOx.


Not bad for a n00b 'eh?

Nice collection! I've been trying to find one of those Scorchers for a while, myself!

Cheers,
Jeremy

Nice collection, wdwrx! I'd pop down to Red Deer sometime just to see all your strops.

I have:

A Kenrup Filly Strop.

A SRD Premium IV with normal length.

A Kanayama 50000

A Custom HandAmerican Keith De'Grau Signature Strop. The front is horse butt strip "Cordovan" and the back is diamond embossed bovine bridle leather.

Perhaps this is a bit off topic, but I would love to see strop makers make strops like the vintage C-Mon, Dubl Duck, Red Imp, etc. strops. The only strop maker that makes strops in that kind of vintage styling is the Kanayama guy. I think there is a little more room for design and ornamentation with strops .

As of now, I am cutting my teeth with the 3-inch wide strop. However, I am more of a traditionalist and plan to move to the 2.5-inch wide strops in the future.

Man, I want to get one of Keith's HandAmericans.

I don't think you can go wrong with a HandAmerican strop. They are probably pretty pricey now that they don't sell direct. The only thing I don't like about my strop is that Keith uses a keyring to connect the carabiner hook to the strop holder. However, that is easy to "correct."

I should add that Keith's strops also have classic "vintage" styling too.

Here's a pic of some of them. missing here is the "saddle" leather and the VB strop.

I was dying for the real thing when it came to the linen, hence the TM. I find the handles interfere with my stroke, and truly prefer strops with a minimum of hardware.

The bear hide and russian shell are my favorites. The bear hide has a certain raspieness but a very "dry" feel. Each of them are embossed on the back with a diamond pattern and a horizontal line pattern. I use the TM linen, bear and shell almost exclusivley. I alsmost never use the any of the latigo, I find the draw a little too heavy for my taste.

I haven't used the pastes much at all. The Dovo red puts a wicked edge on my kitchen knife but after an intial use I haven't gone back to 'em. I kinda wish I hadn't wasted the nice canvas strops. Apparently in Europe the use of pasted strops and paddles is often used exclusviley, but it's not something I've tried.

Ryan, by all means, if you're ever coming through, stop in. I'd love to meet another fellow SRP'er. A kindred soul is always welcome!

1. SRD paddle with bridle, premium and rough leather. A felt with diamond and a felt with CrOx.
2. Neil Miller linen.
3. Neil Miller bridle and buffalo.
4. Kanayama 60000 in use.
5. Kanayama 80000 in the box with green colored stamps, just arrived.
6. Vintage blades latigo with a felt with CrOx.
7. An Old Dog Classic 905 - unused and still in plastic.

3" is my preference.

Argh! Why does nowhere sell the Old Dogs? I want one now!