Everything but the strop

[joshb1000]

I finally purchased all my shaving gear for my starting kit... Except the strop. I know I know it's one of the most important pieces of the shave kit but after Christmas the budget is quite a bit tighter than before. Overspent this year...again. So I've read wikis and other posts mentioning people making their own homemade strops so I figured necessity is the mother of invention, although I'm not inventing. So I've grabbed a belt without rivets or divots and I'm looking to use a piece of denim for the other side. Should I glue them together or mount them to a paddle? Should I prep them somehow, or does a hanging strop work better than a paddle... No idea, any suggestion and tip are appreciated thanks again.

[nun2sharp]

Use the denim first and then the leather and you should be fine. As for wether it should be a hanging or a paddle strop, that would depend on the resources available since this is obviously a child of necessity.

[joshb1000]

Use the denim first and then the leather and you should be fine. As for wether it should be a hanging or a paddle strop, that would depend on the resources available since this is obviously a child of necessity.

So just keep them as two separate pieces? Ok. Now since the belt isn't the width of the razor obviously, this is where the diagonal or figure 8 type stroke comes from correct?

[Castel33]

+1 to nun2sharp's info. I have used a belt to make a paddle strop before and it turned out good but haven't used one as a hanging but it would be pretty much in ready to go form if that is what you wanted. As for the denim I did make a hanging and a paddle one and I liked the hanging much better. Just follow the instructions on the wiki and you will be good. Also you don't need a canvas strop or similar. I don't use one I just use leather.

Also if you are strapped for cash here some good low end strops I have both and used them as my every day strops.

http://www.whippeddog.com/-----$19---Poor-Man-Strop-Kit-with-Leather-Strop/

The owner of this site is Larry Andro on here. The kit is nice cause it comes with a pasted basla strop to get you started and help maintan your razor. This is where I got started with real straights.

I also just bought this one from star shaving supplies. 2" Leather Strop and have been real happy with it.

[joshb1000]

Ive looked into the PMSK. Getting ready to pick one up, just using the belt as an emergency I guess, wanted to know the process. Larry is a member here right? What's his screen name? It's crazy how many high quality dealers and craftsmen there are on this sight. I'm still amazed every time I log on. Thanks for the advice.

[simpleman]

I also just bought this one from star shaving supplies. 2" Leather Strop and have been real happy with it.

I would assume its the same star supply on ebay. I use his 2" strop and it appears to be working just fine.

[Castel33]

Hey Josh Larry's screen name is LarryAndro.

I would assume its the same star supply on ebay. I use his 2" strop and it appears to be working just fine.

Yeah it is the same company I found it on ebay while looking around for a second strop. For the price I was willing to take a chance on it.

[speckey]

I have the Big Daddy 3" strop from Starshaving. It is a great strop, and the cost cant be beat. I have been using mine for a few months now and is breaking in wonderfully.

[joshb1000]

All awesome ideas. Thanks for the input. I will look into starshaving as well. Thanks again everyone

[AFDavis11]

For now, I would recommend putting the denim on the back of the leather strop.

This is only because control is important. A long piece of unsupported denim would not be my recommendation.