Thread: Please explain the SRD strop materials

Hello,

I got the Dovo Ebony Silver Steel 5/8" Straight Razor & Strop Set back in September. I ordered the strop with 3" Red Latigo Leather and 3" SRD Premium Fabric. I have yet to use it as I have been learning on a Poor-man strop and a Filly.

Now I am pretty set on the Dovo "Prima Klang" Bocote 5/8" Straight Razor & Strop Set. The question is what are the differences between the strop materials?

The set is such a good deal I was thinking of upgrading the strop again this time but I am not sure what material is for what purpose? I am not planning to use pastes and sprays but it's possible.

Please breakdown the different SRD strop materials.

Black Latigo Leather
Red Latigo Leather
Premium I Leather
Premium II Leather
Premium III Buffalo Leather
Premium IV English Bridle
===========
Webbed Fabric
Cotton Herringbone Weave
SRD Premium Fabric
100% Hard Pressed Wool Felt

Thank you,
--Shoki

Shoki, if you go to the SRD website, the strop shop, and click on the individual links to each strop there is a brief description that includes the characteristics of the various strops. I would venture to say that not too many members have all of them. My premium 1 has a perfect draw for my preferences but might be too slick for someone else. I hear the bridal leather if a favorite among many members here. Lynn or Don could give you a more complete description of one or more that you're interested in but I found the info on the web page very informative.

Well I guess my question is really more about the non leather strops.

I am guessing (correct me if I am wrong)
Webbed Fabric = Basic linen
Cotton Herringbone Weave = Better Fabric
SRD Premium Fabric = Best fabric
100% Hard Pressed Wool Felt = for sprays

The felt is the most expensive so I was wondering if it is mainly for sprays or if is as good or better than the fabric options.

Thank you,
--Shoki

The premium fabric is a thick, solid cotton weave of some kind. I really like it. I also have the P3 (buffalo) w/ the webbing. The webbing works fine, but is a little slick for my taste. Totally a personal preference thing--I can't tell any real difference in performance.

I've got the Premium I with Felt and the Premium IV with webbing.

Premium I is smooth, has a semi velvet feel now. The Premium IV is a little more slick, but I haven't used it as much and take better care of it so haven't oiled it up etc. They're both good just different feels, many people recommended the IV so I tried it out and it was worth it in terms of draw difference and usage.

I used the pressed felt with ChromOx so it's my sharpening set up now. The webbing I use daily too and at first wasn't a fan of it, as it's very slick, now I've got a feel for it and enjoy it's use.

I have the Premium 1 and the English Bridle IV, both are excellent pieces of leather. The only thing I'd ever do to these beautiful strops is rub them with the palm of my hand. No need to rub oil into these babies...The Premium 1 is buttery soft leather, reminds me of leather jackets from the 80's. Just a beautiful piece of leather...The English Bridle is more slick, not as supple, it has more firmness to it, but equally nice leather.

The English Bridle comes with it's own fabric, far as I know, you don't get a choice. They all do the job. The only one that's really apart from the pack is the hard pressed wool felt, it is intended for sprays. I use .50 diamond on mine, and it's just awesome...

Whichever you buy, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it....

Originally Posted by Shoki

Well I guess my question is really more about the non leather strops.

I am guessing (correct me if I am wrong)
Webbed Fabric = Basic linen
Cotton Herringbone Weave = Better Fabric
SRD Premium Fabric = Best fabric
100% Hard Pressed Wool Felt = for sprays

The felt is the most expensive so I was wondering if it is mainly for sprays or if is as good or better than the fabric options.

Thank you,
--Shoki

The webbed fabric is a nylon or some synthetic. Works very well IME. I've got the wool strop separate for diamond spray. I don't use it often but, like zib said, works real well when I do use it.

If in doubt, you can contact either Don or Lynne. They are truly great to work with. They have always been considerate and responsive to my questions.

Talked to Don and I will be getting the Premium IV English Bridle with the 100% Hard Pressed Wool Felt.

He said the English Bridle is great and not as delicate as the Buffalo and since I have the SRD premium fabric that the Wool Felt will give me the most options.

Thank you for all the responses!

--Shoki

Originally Posted by zib

The Premium 1 is buttery soft leather, reminds me of leather jackets from the 80's....

Just hopefully without all the zippers, they could be harmful to your razor.....

I think if I was going to get another strop it would be a tough choice between the P1 and the long bridle. Good info guys.