Thread: What is the difference?

I am going to be purchasing a new strop from SRD with in the next few days. I was talked into buying a Latigo strop as opposed to the premium strops, because they are less expensive and if/when I damage them, I wont have to feel as bad. Plus I can buy the premium leather later and just replace my old leather, but I digress. I want to know, before I choose one or the other, what is the difference between red latigo and black latigo? Are they any different other than color?
Thank you again for everything.

Functionally, there really is not much difference in the Latigo's other than color. They need to be broken in and once you get past the oil and way layer, they have a nice heavy draw.

The Premium I is a softer strop that has a light draw that turns into a medium draw. This strop needs no treatment other than hand rubbing. The Premium III is Water Buffalo, is a thinner leather and has a lot of draw and needs no treatment. The Premium IV is a Bridle that has been worked and also needs no treatment other than hand rubbing. It develops a very nice medium draw.

Hope this helps.

Lynn

Thank you, Lynn. How would you recommend breaking in the Latigo strops? Do they just need Daily use to break in? I am not being lazy, I will research this in the forum as well.
Thank you again.

I normally rub a light coating of neatsfoot oil into the strop and let it sit over night. Then I hand rub it daily for a week until my palm feels warm. After a week, I repeat this one time and from then on it's hand rubbing before stropping for every shave. The Latigo will leech a little, but it doesn't harm the razor and the leeching just brushes off with our hand. You should notice the draw improving after the first week.

Have fun,

Lynn

You are a great help and source of information. So here is my last newbie question(for right now). Is the strop still usable during the break in process, or should I stay away from my straight till it is done? I believe I read that it will still work, but has less draw. How important is draw, again?

Originally Posted by straightshot

You are a great help and source of information. So here is my last newbie question(for right now). Is the strop still usable during the break in process, or should I stay away from my straight till it is done? I believe I read that it will still work, but has less draw. How important is draw, again?

It will definitely work. Just a little slicker on the draw..........

You will be fine to use it during ur break-in period. It may feel like the razor is just sliding over the strop but this will change as you go.


Goodluck to you and you are starting out with a nice strop.
Deerhunter.

Goodluck to you and you are starting out with a nice strop.
Deerhunter.

Actually I started out with a crappy strop and am now needing to rebuy, because I didn't do it right the first time.

Originally Posted by straightshot

Actually I started out with a crappy strop and am now needing to rebuy, because I didn't do it right the first time.

Actually, you probably did do it right the first time... get a 'less desirable' strop to learn with, then when your more comfortable move up to the next level.

I have both the Red and Black Latigo for almost a year and the English Bridle... I like the feel of the red compared to the black... (the black I received is physically a little thicker / stiffer). I've only had the Bridle less than a week, but already like it better than both the latigo's. To me, this follows the levels of draw Lynn mentioned above too.