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Can I use a old leather belt for my first strop. Im getting this wet shave down with my DE and trying to move over to the straights very bottom dollar. So my plan is to pick up a straight on the classifieds and use a old leather belt till. I can upgrade to a SRD paddle and new straight for my b-day in a couple mouths. So can it be done. Also what's up the the poor man kit I have seen at whipping dog any good?
i have a belt that i have used on occasion... it worked.....
there are better alternatives.... a strop can be expensive but if you are careful they will last a lifetime....
Old belts generally have creases and imperfections that would definitely roll the edge of your straight. I have never tried the poor man's strop, but have heard good things (mostly from beginners). I would have to say that the strop maes the edge; don't chap out on the strop. If you want to save money purchase a lowerpriced strop, but IMO this isn't the place to repurpose an item.
Another thing I have heard with regards to belts is just because they are leather does not mean that they are a single strip of leather (like a strop is). Some belts, maybe only cheap ones, are sort of like reconstituted leather. That stuff has bits of leather and something to bind them together, and perhaps other random stuff thrown in. That can be very bad for a razor.
So what up with the whippin dog strops and razors
I think maybe the easiest way to describe a belt as a strop is just ask the reverse, can you use a Strop to hold up your pants????
Why yes you could in a pinch and a bit of re-fashioning, but it isn't ideal :)
I have a poorman strop from Larry at Whipped Dog. I like it. Its an honest strop and a good price. Also, you might look at starshaving.com. I haven't had any experience with them, but they cam highly recommended to me from another member.
Remember, like most hobbies, straight shaving can be as expensive or cheap as you make it. However, just like most things in life, there is a bottom dollar that if you spend below, you'll just be chasing your tail. Buy a cheap purpose made strop at first, nick it all up (cause you will). Then buy another cheap strop. When you go several months without nicking it, then buy an expensive one. Likewise, buy a decent, workhorse quality straight from someone like Larry Andros at whippeddog and save the brand new razors until you know what tip shape and grind style you prefer. Larry has a hell of a package with his "sight unseen" package he puts together. Check it out.
I have some strops that have flaws in the non-stropping regions. PM or email me at LarryAndro@GMail.com, and I will send you one free. I don't have many, but as long as I have a few, you might was well nick and slice up a free strop! :)
Thanks I'll email you also seance you are Larry from whipped dog I'll take a sight unseen razor also thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goingst8
And this is why I love this place! Thanks guys for making a wonderful communityQuote:
Originally Posted by LarryAndro
The razor below was stropped on an apparently smooth looking belt.Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
And here is the owner's post deciding to not use a belt again
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml?highlight=
Fashion renovations by Gssixgun!Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
It would look like miniature weight belts!Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
An old belt is going to be cracked, warped and stretched if yours is anything like my old belts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goingst8
Some of my old belts are full of sand dirt and grit from hiking in the desert and working
the the garden which is bad for a razors edge. A decent new leather belt and a worthy
strop are about the same price give or take.
I saw someone offer you a cosmetic second -- take him up on it!
I will skip discussing alternative strop material like newsprint and
cotton denim. Many folk make a paddle strop with leather from
a shoe repair shop or Tandy. I have also heard good things from the dogs"
customers.
When you do get your razor do not strop it for the first shave perhaps two.
It is too easy for a beginner to dull a new razor on a strop. Check with
the seller... almost all will have honed and stropped the razor already
so you only need to rinse under hot water and shave.
When you do, strop slow and deliberately. It takes some folk months to develop
muscle memory that permits even medium speed AND speed
does not help the razor.
Have fun...