Thread: Good Strop Bad Strop

I've been looking through the threads on strops but I'm still not clear on what to look for in a good strop.

So what do you look for in a good leather hanging strop wide or narrow, Canvas or linen backed. and what is to be avoided

paddle strops pros and cons

Balsa wood strops pros and cons

to paste or not to paste.

is there any general agreement on whats a good thing to look for in a strop and what should be avoided.

There is so much choice out there I just need some pointers on how to narrow it down to a few good strops

You need one untreated leather strop.

The rest is personal preference. The word on the street is that a 3" strop is easier for a new shaver to use though.

When strop shopping, you'll want to do your research. Most importantly, you'll want to know who makes a good strop. There are many strop makers out there that make good strops. Here are some makers and vendors in no particular order:

Vintage Blades
HandAmerican
Tony Miller
Kanoyama
Straight Razor Designs
Ambrose
RupRazor

That is just a short list. Things too look for in a strop are the material, the stropping material's draw, the size, the hardware, the cost, and if it is modular. A modular strop might be a good investment if you are new to stropping. Good luck in your search.

Originally Posted by altshaver

When strop shopping, you'll want to do your research. Most importantly, you'll want to know who makes a good strop. There are many strop makers out there that make good strops. Here are some makers and vendors in no particular order:

Vintage Blades
HandAmerican
Tony Miller
Kanoyama
Straight Razor Designs
Ambrose
RupRazor

That is just a short list. Things too look for in a strop are the material, the stropping material's draw, the size, the hardware, the cost, and if it is modular. A modular strop might be a good investment if you are new to stropping. Good luck in your search.

What you're saying about material sounds interesting. So leather I know that veg tanning is something to look for but thick leather or thin? also if you have materal strop what traits would make for good stroping?

You dont need to import to get a strop from a good maker
www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration
As for material there is almost more opinions then there are choises
Only thing id say is get both fabric and leather part

Originally Posted by janivar123

You dont need to import to get a strop from a good maker
www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration
As for material there is almost more opinions then there are choises
Only thing id say is get both fabric and leather part

I have been looking at Neil Millers strops. When I have my stropping skills perfected I'm sorely tempted by some of his strops but I would not want to ruin one by bad technique.

The strop's material and treatment will dictate the performance of the strop. By performance, I really mean the draw of the strop, which can be likened to the friction the blade experiences from the strop. Latigo will give the sensation of a heavy draw. Horsehide will give the sensation of light draw. As far as draw is concerned, it will mostly boil down to your preference in the feel of stropping.