Thread: Contemplating a strop purchase.

I've been thinking about another strop to supplement my Illinois #27 "Russian" strop. And I keep coming back to the SRD "build your own" strop. I've decided on the hard felt to use with a diamond paste, but can't make up my mind on which leather to choose. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

I have the English Bridle which I believe is the #4 and I highly recommend it. I had a Latigo prior to the EB and it just had too much draw for my liking. The EB is perfect and I don't see myself purchasing another strop. I recommend the EB!

I would go with the Horsehide but it seems that it not an option. I have the horsehide on my modular paddle strop and it is outstanding. The draw on the leather is not as fast as the other options.

You can always go with the Modular paddle it is very enjoyable.

The EB also give a nice draw feel.

Depends on which #27 you have the #827 or the #127

If you have the #827 I would get a fast slick strop to follow it or to give you a different feel

If you have the #127 I would get a more suede like finish strop to follow it or give you a different feel...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Depends on which #27 you have the #827 or the #127

If you have the #827 I would get a fast slick strop to follow it or to give you a different feel

If you have the #127 I would get a more suede like finish strop to follow it or give you a different feel...

It is the #827. You make a good point.

I have a SRD latigo which has tremendous draw, a Illinois 992 which has medium draw and a Caswell Mass 100, (which I think was made by Illinois which is so slick it practically has no draw.

With these three strops I can tailor my stropping to the condition of the razor.

If I were to buy another strop it would be the English Bridle.

Between the Illinois 827 and the 361, I prefer the 361. However I don't think the results would be much difference.

GSSixgun's reccomendation is correct in my opinion.

I have many strops, including SRD's Premium 1, and English Bridle. Both are great strops, each has it's own draw. The English Bridle has more of a "less than Latigo" feel to me, while the Premium 1, is buttery soft leather which you can feel while stropping. It has consideralbe drag or draw. The Premium 1 remains one of my favorite strops...It's one the only strops I've encountered where you can actually "feel" the leather as you strop....It definitely gives you feedback...

P.S. I just went and tested the 1, and the Eng.Brd. Mine are close when it comes to draw, but different....

If you going for light draw, or no draw, I'd go with Horsehide. Now, I can't speak intelligently about SRD's horsehide, because I don't have one, but I do have Tony Miller's Horsehide. It's a wonderful strop with little to no draw. It compliments a strop with heavy draw, like a one two punch...I like to pair my strops this way...

Kenrups Paladin has zero draw too, it's horsehide, and has that sueded look to it....

+1 on the English Bridal. My first strop was vintage shell horsehide and although still functional, came slightly nicked up (with some additions of my own) so I decided to try the SRD IV English Bridal. It has a nice draw to it, especially compared to the horsehide, but is still very smooth.

I have both the English Bridle, and the Premium I. While I enjoy both, I truly love stropping on the Premium I. IMHO, it has the perfect draw, buttery smooth. It's just simply awesome. There's many a day when I do extra strokes, just because I like the way it feels so much.

Good luck with your choice.