Thread: Buying first stop...help me on my quest.

So I have had about 3 painful horrible experiences with a straight razor. The razor was professionally honed by Ken Rupkalvis so I know it was shave ready. I am still learning to strop so I am in the market for a good strop that will help me learn. What would all of you knowledgeable straight shavers recommend? I saw this one on ebay and it is in my price range.

SHAVE READY STRAIGHT RAZOR & 3.25" LEATHER STROP | eBay

Any comments on this one? Any recommendations will be welcome. Thanks!

That kit is just crap, forget about it.

Check out the classifieds here and www.whippedog.com for a inexpensive starter kit.

Originally Posted by Blix

That kit is just crap, forget about it.

Haha thanks for the heads up. how do tell its crap? just experience or is it the make up of the strop?

I think people here have warned to stay away from B&B products. The clue would be that you get a razor and a strop for less
than one would normally pay for either one of good quality. There are more than 10 available. Generally, one gets what one pays
for. If they have 10 of them and can sell them at a profit, what did they pay for them?

What Ace said...

Originally Posted by ladavis89

Haha thanks for the heads up. how do tell its crap? just experience or is it the make up of the strop?

Its on ebay.

Save your money for another little bit, and then head over to the SRD website and check out the "strop shop". You can't go wrong with anything from them. Top notch strops. My favorite is the Premium III, but many others here also like the Premium I and IV.

Many people say not to fall in love with your first strop because you'll end up cutting it learning how to strop.

Would you consider a paddle strop? It's much easier to learn on and it's convenient for travel. The main downside is it doesn't hang right beside your sink. The main upside is you probably won't hack it to pieces learning how to strop. I haven't...yet.

I would consider a paddle strop. However, if I learn on one, will it make it easier to learn on a regular strop? Or will I still have the same learning curve I have now?

I don't know the answer to that question as I'm satisfied with my paddle strop. I guess you'd have to ask yourself if you need a hanging strop for any particular reason.

I get the feeling from watching videos that a hanging strop is faster.