Rookie Question Re: value of Strop

Hello All,

I am very fresh to this website and the entire art of razor maintenance, but very excited to learn. I have shaved with a straight razor; however, the blades were disposable (which i can't find anymore) and after battling the other Gillette style razors I have decided to go back to the straight razor.

I have a quick question that i hope some of you can answer for me... I bought a new strop yesterday, from a knife shop, and now i feel i may have made a poor choice. It's a Erbe Solingen cow hide strop and it cost me $85 plus tax...did i pay too much? Or is this a quality strop worth this kind of investment?

Zamberg.com: First Class Cowhide-leather Honing Strop for Open Razors

I have found some strops on ebay that are around the $6 - $15 range plus shipping and they are horse hide and seem just as good...

Please advise
Thanks

Dave

We don't do appraisals here, but that sure doesn't look like an $85 strop to me. Then again, a lot of the cheap strops on eBay are crap. Make sure you avoid anything from Zeepk for one. Basically, I'd return the strop you bought and then do some reading in the strop section of the forum. You're sure to learn about lots of other options, and if you are willing to spend $85, then you've got lots of options.

Thank You


I wasn't looking for any form of "appraisal" but merely someone's opinion that has experience with the different types of products. I am not affraid to spend the money for a good product; however, I also like to consumer shop.

I think with this purchase the excitement got the better of me.

Dave

It may be a fine strop, I can't tell. I think the idea as a beginer is to get an expendable strop. Something that works well enough to get you started, but you won't cry over when you nick it up (you will!).

The general look and the hardware on that strop look to me like one of the Dovo strops. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't - the only way to know would be a head to head comparison.

Regardless, my general advice for new guys out shopping is to stick to known brands and/or known vendors who stand behind what they sell. You really want to remove the variable of "did I buy something good." As such, I agree with what Utopian said - either keep it as a risk/variable, or try to return it and buy something after doing some research.

Its probably a good strop if its a rebrand of one of the two it looks like
Still i think you can get better for less

I'd stay away from 15.00 strops on the Bay, as they say, You get what you pay for...
If you want a good strop, Ask one of us here, we'd be happy to recommend one for you.
Any strop from any one of our Vendors, would be fine. For 85.00, you could have got SRD's, premium 1, an awesome strop. I'd take yours back, get my money, and get SRD's, you'll be glad you did....

It's a quality strop. I think Classic Shaving sells or used to sell the same strop. It's probably a jemico. One of their more basic ones but still a good piece.

It looks like the jemico that I have which has a real nice draw to it. I bought it a few years ago, but I don't think that I paid quite that much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zib

I'd stay away from 15.00 strops on the Bay, as they say, You get what you pay for...
If you want a good strop, Ask one of us here, we'd be happy to recommend one for you.
Any strop from any one of our Vendors, would be fine. For 85.00, you could have got SRD's, premium 1, an awesome strop. I'd take yours back, get my money, and get SRD's, you'll be glad you did....

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Thanks zib, where would I find some of these vendors you mentioned. I have an antique razor being sharpened at the moment and i wish to use it very soon, so a proper strop is a necessity at this point.

thanks
Dave

I have posted another question in the "ebay" section just for curiosity. Anyones comments are gladly accepted,

thanks


http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...tml#post685530

I am guessing that Zib means the vendors that are advertising on this forum, most notably StraightRazorDesigns and ClassicShaving. I am certain for the same price, you could buy nicer strop that includes the linen side from either vendor. There are also some members here who make affordable beginner strops. You can always check out the classifieds here to see if any members are selling strops. And just in case you need one other option to consider, there are threads about making a DIY strop out of newspaper or old blue jeans. As others have said, do your research before rushing in to make a purchase. Hope this helps you make a decision.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YaDave

Thanks zib, where would I find some of these vendors you mentioned. I have an antique razor being sharpened at the moment and i wish to use it very soon, so a proper strop is a necessity at this point.

thanks
Dave

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If your new to this, I can't recommend enough, the RR Filly Strop. RR dose a invaluable service to the wet shaving community by offering this no frills strop. It should be everyones first strop. Like said it is no frills, but a really good strop. Its $22 shipped. Works great, and you won't cry when you nick it. You will know when you are ready for a more expensive strop. I've had mine a couple of months now, and I think I'm ready for a better one, but I'm not sure if I want to spend the money yet because the filly just works so damn good. Google Rupp Razor, and you will see his slection. Even if you want a better strop then the Filly, he has 2 better models, and both are under $85. Good Luck:rock:

Ken at Ruprazor is a good idea, especially if your new to stropping, If you are, You will probably cut it, so the no frills starter strop is great advice...Here's a link:
RupRazor - Strops

The strop is called "The Fily" basically cowhide...

Sorry, I don't always follow up on my posts, Anyone is welcome to PM me.
The other member was correct, I was speaking of any of the vendor that advertise here, SRD, Classic, and Vintage to name a few...

The Classifieds are also a good source, Don't be afraid to contact a Mentor, or Mod if you have any questions about a product, As matter of fact, most senior members would be more than willing to help, I'm sure...