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I recently bought my first complete straight set at Vintage Blades. It came with the 2 inch strop and I am already nicking up the sides. I have been reading about the 3 inch versions. I have found them on ebay for 30 bucks or so. I am also having to get my brand new Dovo 5/8 rehoned because I fear that I have ruined my edge learning the X pattern style of stropping; should I go with 3 inches to avoid that pattern of stropping and save my 2 inch Latigo for later?
The 3 inch strop is way easier to learn on you will still nick it as I think we all did when learning to strop.
I just about went into shock when I saw this shops prices on shaving items....I think it's agreed that a 3 inch strop would be better for the newb. I had that option when I bought my set from Vintage Shaving, but I wish i knew that before i ordered. Anything that lowers the odds of me lousing my edge up seems like a good thing. No X pattern could help.
I started with the standard width so I've really come to prefer it and even though I have 2, 3 inch strops I still do the x pattern on them. I'll guess most folks use the x pattern no matter how wide the strop and personally I think it's a better stroke for stropping.
Do you get a better edge with an X pattern than just going straight on a 3" strop?
I don't know where this idea that doing straight strokes is a superior method to realigning an edge than the typical X stroke came from. I seriously doubt that the X stroke was developed purely out of necessity, simply because I don't think that it's ever really been that difficult throughout the course of history to get your hands on a 3 inch strip of leather. Granted, this is just my speculation: but just as the scything motion is a more effective way of cutting whiskers, it seems that the similar motion of the X stroke should be a more effective way of realigning that selfsame edge. Just the two cents of a salty 5 month veteran;)
I do think it is easier to learn on a 3" as going straight up and down means one less thing to try and learn when new. The flip/shift needed at each end of an X pattern is just another thing to think about and another chance to nick the strop.
For actual use every day i still prefer the standard 2 1/2" and many do like the more narrow European 2" models. They do force you to do the X which many will agree just gives a better edge.
Tony
I don't know how you would ever prove one is better than the other. My comment was just that I prefer a 3 inch. I also have a 2 1/2 inch vintage dubl duck shell cordovan that I really like as well.
I guess you could say I use the 3 inch more often on 6/8th and larger blades and the shell on smaller blades.
Really I think it's more preference than anything else.