Thread: Any Thoughts?

I am starting to make the transition from using a disposable blade Str8 razor to using a TI. I am looking to buy my first strop. I was wondering how good of quality the one I am lloking at is, and if there is anything I should get to go with it. Here is the link to the strop I am looking at:
American Extra Wide Mountain Strop w/ Deerskin Strap and Handle

Any input/advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Andrew

It's like everything else. There are cheapies out there best used by guys starting out so if you destroy it you won't feel too bad. However once you have a quality piece of leather they all do the same job. The main difference is in the way they look and the feel and which you prefer to use.

When I started out it was my aim to amass as many made from just about every critter that walked or crawled on the earth. I had alot and they all did the same job. These days I'm down to a few quality strops and they are all very different and some are very luxurious but it's like using a basic quality razor and a custom with Ivory scales. The shave may be the same, it's all the other stuff that makes the price.

Originally Posted by andrew1985

I am starting to make the transition from using a disposable blade Str8 razor to using a TI. I am looking to buy my first strop. I was wondering how good of quality the one I am lloking at is, and if there is anything I should get to go with it. Here is the link to the strop I am looking at:
American Extra Wide Mountain Strop w/ Deerskin Strap and Handle

Any input/advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Andrew

Nice strop....

Any strop from them will serve you well.
I am getting a lot of value from my Illinois #827
strop. No mater which one you get you
will want the other one.... It takes a while
for any strop to settle in...

If you apply any paste apply the finest sub-micron
paste you can find. Like 0.25micron... and not
too much when you do. If you add any dressing
only the smallest amount. Wide strops tend to cup
when over oiled or over dressed.

From a disposable to a TI? That's like going from a Hyundi to a Reffari!
As for te strop, I'd probably spend a few dollars more and go with a latigo from Tony Miller or SRD.

I went with the SRD Modular Paddle Strop for the following reasons:

• Since I'm just learning I wanted to have a 3" strop to avoid having to learn the "X" pattern, that was one variable I could easily remove from the equation.
• I also found that with the paddle, I could remove the variable of tautness - no need to worry about pulling too much or not enough.
• With the paddle I can strop wherever I want, not limited to the bathroom
• The modular aspect allows me to replace a pad easily and cheaply (~$20) when I nick it up - although you can replace leather on the other SRD strops, too.
• The SRD modular paddle came with a smooth leather, a rough leather, and 2 felt pads, along with some diamond spray, which increased the versatility of the strop.

I found I could get all this for a not so big cost premium compared to other higher quality strops. It may not be right for everyone and it's definitely more expensive than a filly, but I love mine and would recommend you at least consider it.

Cheers,
ElChe

Originally Posted by leadduck

From a disposable to a TI? That's like going from a Hyundi to a Reffari!
As for te strop, I'd probably spend a few dollars more and go with a latigo from Tony Miller or SRD.

Looking at the post count of the OP a TM strop is possibly
a bit extravagant (and yes, I want one too).

It is important for the OP to know that the strop will
be used every day and a darn good one is a good thing.
A "cheep" strop that is too short, ill made or what ever
is not recommended.

A modest priced, darn good, strop makes a lot of sense.
I like the idea of a strop that has replaceable parts for
beginners first purchase.

Inexpensive is also possible. Very serviceable quality strops have
been made by many of us from hand selected Tandy leather,
some perspiration and craftsmanship.

Originally Posted by andrew1985

I am starting to make the transition from using a disposable blade Str8 razor to using a TI. I am looking to buy my first strop. I was wondering how good of quality the one I am lloking at is, and if there is anything I should get to go with it. Here is the link to the strop I am looking at:
American Extra Wide Mountain Strop w/ Deerskin Strap and Handle

Any input/advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Andrew

A first strop is going to get nicked up a lot. If you have sunk a lot of money into your first strop, you're likely going to be so hesitant and uncertain that, added to lack of skill, you'll nick it up even more!

I'd suggest starting with something good, but inexpensive. I started 4 months back with the Illinois 127. It shows how much I had to learn! I would suggest something at least 2.5" wide, I think 3" is better. As a beginner I found trying to learn an X stroke on a strop meant...a very chopped up strop and a dull razor. But I'm kind of a klutz, so maybe you can do better.

The Rup Razor El Toro is a nice strop with a 2.5" width option for $40. It looks like an excellent choice, and for +$10 you can bump up to 3".

I settled on the SRD Premium I and love it, but I'd hate to be nicking and chopping it up like I did my first strop for those first couple months.

Originally Posted by andrew1985

I am starting to make the transition from using a disposable blade Str8 razor to using a TI. I am looking to buy my first strop. I was wondering how good of quality the one I am lloking at is, and if there is anything I should get to go with it. Here is the link to the strop I am looking at:
American Extra Wide Mountain Strop w/ Deerskin Strap and Handle

Any input/advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Andrew

Actually for the price, the Mt Mike strop has less impressive hardware than the SRD Premium I. I like the SRD construction because it allows replacement of the strop material.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Actually for the price, the Mt Mike strop has less impressive hardware than the SRD Premium I. I like the SRD construction because it allows replacement of the strop material.

I have a Mt Mike strop and the hardware makes it very easy to change material its just a couple srews you would just need to put holes in whatever material you want

actually from looking at the srd strop and the mine you could probably use the srd replacements with it. The settup looks almost exactly the same to me other than mine has drings instead of the handles