Thread: SRD Roo Strop

Originally Posted by earcutter

Hey James - why do you not recommend the Dovo pastes?

Well, it is not that they are no good, but in terms of finishing I think the FeOx, CrOx or diamond are finer and more suited to purpose. I am not sure of the micron of the finest dovo paste, but the red was, iirc, around 3?

Originally Posted by Costabro

Thanks to all. Respect the Roo. Got it. No problem. Wait, what if my hands are usually dry? Can I wipe my forehead on it? Actually, I'm kinda' serious....

Sure. I remember a trick an old carpenter showed me once. If you are hammering a nail, rub it through your hair. The oil will help, apparently.

You'll find, if the kangaroo is like mine, that the feel will be slicker and you might also find it a "faster" strop. I'd recommend not fully succumbing to the temptation to go faster than you normally do until you get a few days of use under your belt. When kangaroo gets a nick it is not quite the same as other leather, but you'd probably prefer someone told you that than to find it out yourself! Also, of course, a bad cut will essentially cut it in two due to the thinness, so go carefully and enjoy!

James.

You can, but the skin oil only has to be very light. It is more about an accumulation over time, rather that using the oil like a traditional strop dressing. Even if your hands are dry, there are still oils present.

when i warm up my strops i use my forearm, just in case i have some grit on my hands..

Had the SRD Roo strop for some time now and it's the best performer out of my other strops( latigo from vintage blade and premium 1 leather from SRD).
I don't even do the palm rubbing, like I do with the others. I just check the strop with the palm for dibries, up and down and that's it. No rubbing to warm leather like the others. The Roo strop performs the same as when I got it.
So I would say keep your forehead lube for the other leathers. Double O

I love my SRD Roo strop - I rub the palm of my hand on to it every once in a while. It is my daily strop and give me a wonderful edge. I too use the hard felt for CroX or ,25 diamond.

Originally Posted by Costabro

Thanks to all. Respect the Roo. Got it. No problem. Wait, what if my hands are usually dry? Can I wipe my forehead on it? Actually, I'm kinda' serious....

If your hands are fairly dry (you may have just washed them with soap and water) You can simply rub one hand acros your forehead or side of the nose, rub hands together to evenly spread the natural skin oils around, then rub the strop as you would normally do. As an aside and a POI to survivalists out there, the Australian Aboriginals, when making fire by the fire drill method will sometimes twirl the point of the drill on the side of their nose prior to using it. It aids in lubrication and friction. Also useful to do it on the pivot end if you use the fire bow method.

One of these days I will get myself an SRP strop just to compare to my own. I know legions are similar to mine and I know Jimbo's are a different feel, or at least the sample I handled was anyway. It would be just for the sake of curiosity though, so it won't happen anytime soon, as I just don't need another strop hanging off my towel rail...I won't have anywhere to hang my towel...


Mick

Being the op on this post I thought I should add my thoughts.

First the srd roo strop has been used pretty much daily since I got it. I've only rubbed it with my palm prior to each shave and never used any dressing on it so far. It's a great strop tho and love it.

Now that being said I also own legions travelling strop. Which in my opinion feel is a better strop. The leather is much smoother and leaves a buttery edge when I'm done.

Either way I use them both and can't go wrong with either one.

I normally don't recommend putting anything on these. The leather is very strong and thin. Hand rubbing at most.

Have fun.

Thanks to all. A palm rub here and there is how I'll treat it. I think sometimes, for those of us on this site, we get a little overly analytical and anal about our hobby......as do most enthusiasts for one particular thing or another. Sometimes it's beneficial to just step back, and decide that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I have a Roo strop question,

Dies the Roo strop require more or less strokes compared to other strops?

Thanks.