Thread: Cotton VS Linen.

I'm buy my first high end strop. And want to no what people think,use,prefer ? Just cuse linen normal cost more does it hold up or work any better?

I have strops of both varieties and think they all do the job adequately.
My personal preference is Linen though.
I prefer the feedback off of linen, and the traditional aspect of the linen appeals to me

+ 1 on the above statement. I have been using a Neil Miller natural linen for several years, almost daily, and imho it is a great performer. He just recently made a new linen strop for me to add to a new horsehide I had gotten.

I think they all do the same job. Just from a "what do you like" standpoint I prefer a thick knobby linen.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think they all do the same job. Just from a "what do you like" standpoint I prefer a thick knobby linen.

Yup - just like razors do...

regards,
Neil

I prefer pressed felt[wool] , I love the feedback and it seems to lead to a keener edge when the work day is done.

Originally Posted by Goingst8

I'm buy my first high end strop. And want to no what people think,use,prefer ? Just cuse linen normal cost more does it hold up or work any better?

If you look at history linen was here in the states before cotton became king.

Once cotton became king linen was premium.

If you have one, try the other.

Note that the linen/cotton of an Illinois strop
is treated and not the same as a classic
fabric that does not have the plastic like sizing.