Thread: Strops on eBay? How to separate the good from the bad

Originally Posted by MrRyder

I haven't used this site but members on these forms sometimes recommend this for the shaver on a budget:

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

I have Whipped Dog's "Poor Man's Strop Kit". It's perfectly adequate, and hard to beat for $19.

The leather strop isn't huge or fancy, but it's smooth and works well. The balsa pasted strop (2 grits) will do a good job on "almost shave-ready" edges.

Charles

Originally Posted by simpleman

usually if they sell cheap on ebay they are cheap. Star shaving is a good one for a strop on the cheap. Ive got his 2" and the 3" one and both are good if you can afford a high dollar strop or are just learning.

Agree with the Star Shaving suggestion. They say you'll dink up your first strop, so go good and cheap. I like mine.

Vinatge Blades sells good strops that don't cost that much. $44 for a 2" latigo strop. I think that's a good deal. Dovo also sells good strops. With eBay it's hit or miss, mostly miss.

Just buy a strop from an online store you trust, it's much less risk and way nicer quality anyway.

SRD ones are veryyyyy nice indeed.
There also Ambrose on B&B who makes strops now too.

Originally Posted by Disburden

There also Ambrose on B&B who makes strops now too.

Yes Ambrose strops sertainly look good
Dont confuce B&B(badger & blade) with barber & beauty(B&B) sinse the latter one makes garbage bag stuffing

Hasibb7

Please check your PM (Personal Messages)!! I think that you will find it very informative!

+1 on StarShaving. I have the 3' latigo and with some break in its almost as nice as my SRD. It's a very long/wide strop for the money. Granted when I got it I had to sand the surface down a bit and use some Neatsfoot oil on it, but after a little work its very nice now.

The vendor is a great guy, and very helpful if your new and have questions. Plus shipping is fast, and when I got a bum Golden Dollar razor (weird hump on the shoulder so it would not lay flat on a hone) he replaced it in 3 days no questions asked.

My SRD is still nicer even after the work, but its close, and your going to mangle the first one...at least I did. I thought ahead when I got my SRD though, and picked up a horse hide replacement leather, so I have two great (and very different) strops now. Also its worth noting that the handle on my SRD is much more visually appealing. I think I prefer the feel of a D ring, but when people see my bathroom I'd rather have a handle strop on display.

Just expect to nick your stop a bit, and pick up some sandpaper ahead of time. Its not hard to repair minor damage.

Originally Posted by gugi

yes, you can't tell the good from the bad. if you have enough money to invest you can learn by experience, but if you're just trying to save money you should buy a proven strop.

Or in my case, I was just curious. I'm now the proud and USPS awaiting owner of a Tiger Shark strop. What can I say, I feel like experimenting.

I ordered the Big Mama from Starshaving on Ebay. I love it. It is not a fancy strop but it has a great draw and reasonably priced. Large enough to do a great job. For less than $30 shipped I was really impressed.

Shave on, RR Mike

Hey guys, dont forget the Filly!

RupRazor - The Filly

This is my first proper strop and a nice bit of kit. Comes pasted on the backside too.