Thread: Guitar Strap as Strop?

I guess the SRD mesh are that type of stuff or at least seems that way to me.

At one time I decided I would collect 1 strop from every critter that ever walked crawled or swam on this planet. I reckon I had about 25 strops all different. I've since gotten over that and pretty much gave most of them away. These days I have probably 10 stops half vintage the rest new and all pretty conventional leather either cow or horse.

As far as temporary strops go you could certainly do worse than a guitar strap, as long as it's plain leather (as in free of designs, etching etc). I've seen some guitar straps that are made of very nice leather. But as the others have said you will want to get a pro razor strop at some point.

With my very first razor, and no knowledge of this site, I stropped on an old belt. I went very light pressure on the blade while pulling the strop down as hard as I could. There was no fear of pulling it off the wall, I attached it to a chin up bar.
It is still smooth, and very supple, but the next day, after dulling my blade I went and "bit the bullet" on a $30 strop. I was not so sure the strop would be any different until I got home and removed the wax covering from the leather side. Holy Toledo (no offense to those living in Toledo) was I surprised. That thing is heavenly. If a belt were coffee then a strop is coffee with cream and sugar. You know, dunkin donuts coffee, where they make it real real creamy and delicious (no offense to those who work at star****s). There are no hairs like the back of your belt. Until you touch the strop, there's now way to explain the difference. It reminded me of the time at the age of 13 in the back of the bus when I first felt her... I digress, but it's a great story.
you will NOT regret owning a strop, even if it's el cheapo.
It makes me curious how much better a 50 year old strop feels like
if you don't like your strop, sell it to me. I could use a second one.
I don't know how, but if you guys with experience know how to condition a decommissioned waist belt, let us new guys in on the "secret". I don't even think it's possible.

Believe it or not, sandpaper goes a long way toward getting rid of those "hairs" on the back of a rough-finish leather belt. I'm talking a good-quality, one piece of real-deal cowhide belt, not that press-bonded leather scrap crap. If you take a piece of 150grit sandpaper and use gentle pressure with a quick motion, you can literally rub off the little hairs sticking off the belt and smooth the surface for a decent rough strop. Still, it's going to be NOWHERE near the finish of a legitimate, high quality strop, but it will get you moving in the right direction at least. It could also work for you whenever you get ready to paste for a refresh.