Thread: 2" vs. 3" strop

Originally Posted by CheeseMan182

So I have a 2" cheap strop (I got so I wouldn't F up my nicer one while learning) and 3" nice strop for when I got better at stropping. I'm finding that I actually like stropping on the 2" more than the 3". I can get a better X pattern, I can go faster and I feel like its easier to control the blade.

Anyone else find they like 2" strops more that 3" strops? Or will I eventually like my 3" more when I get more experience?

Well I have a preference but I know better than to say what it is.
The right one is the one that works for you.

Since you have mastered an X strop stroke you are
good to go with a narrow strop. Narrow strops do
not cup as easy as big wide ones and in some
ways are also easier to hang on to when there are
no handles.

Another consideration is draw. As the draw increases
some will like the narrow strop because they can feel
the strop and not have the drag/draw close the razor
on them.

Use them both... speed is not required for a fine edge
so slow down on the 3" and feel the strop. I suspect
that over time both will feel natural and both will give
you great service.

I have both a 2" and a 3".

There is something big and meaty about the 3" that just makes you feel manly when you take hold of it.

But I can get the same results with the 2".

I like the 2'' a little better but both 2" & 3" work fine for me

As everyone else has said, its a matter of preferance...myself, I prefer the 3 inch but every once in a while I'll use my old 2" hanging behind them just for a change/fun

I started with a 3" in my earlier years. I switched on a whim to a 2" Russian and found much more control with the narrower width. I now mostly use a Lipshaw Microtome thats 2-1/2" wide. Its the perfect sweet spot width for me.

I was aggravated when I started with my 2" latigo and managed to nick/gouge both ends in the first month and grumblingly thought I should have sprung for the 3" until I stopped holding the handle plus I found the best stropping video I have seen yet that illustrated finger placement to avoid wrist movement. It explained why what I thought I was doing right, was wrong lol. After practicing a bit just flipping my razors in my hand it just clicked!

Now the X pattern comes natural, heal to tow adjusting draw between the strop scars. Speed has increased but not by much. honestly I don't believe I need a 3" at this point in time. Instead I'm more interested in maybe cheaply switching out the synthetic fabric for cotton or hemp I hear has a good loft and maybe removing the handles since their just in the way.

Different strokes for different folks of course(see what I did there?), I personally like x strokes on a 2" strop. I've tried larger in the past and didn't like them as much but perhaps I didn't give them a fair chance. I'm just about finished a new one for myself and stuck with 2" as I'm sometimes a creature of habit.

Originally Posted by Lynn

For over 30 years I only used a 2 1/2 inch strop and thought it was the only way to go. After a couple years of persuasion I tried a 3 inch strop and fought liking it it a lot. After a couple weeks of using the 3 inch though, I was hooked and now rarely use anything else. With most razors being right around 3 inches in length, I have found it very comfortable stropping on the wider strop. I use sort of a windshield wiper motion when stropping so I am getting a little X pattern in there. My stropping results haven't been hurt one bit going to the 3 inch strop. This is one of those things however, that there is so much personal preference involved that you simply have to go with what you like best. A lot on the order of what draw do you like the best. The good thing about this sport is that what has been finding the bestest for me over the years has been finding another bestest until I find another bestest. I have too many bestest strops for sure if that is really possible.

Have fun.

I tried your "windshield wiper" stroke on my 3" strop and the razor did feel a little more secure in my hands. I'm not sure I stropped very well but that might be something to consider in the future because holding that razor in the thumb and forefinger (especially when there aren't grooves on either side) doesn't feel very secure when I keep my wrist straight.

Is it unusual to have more difficulty getting good at stropping than at shaving and honing?

Like Obie, I too use a 2-1/2" strop. Although Ihavenever used a 2 or 3" strop, just as a guess, I would try a 2" first. But I could prove myself wrong!

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I tried your "windshield wiper" stroke on my 3" strop and the razor did feel a little more secure in my hands. I'm not sure I stropped very well but that might be something to consider in the future because holding that razor in the thumb and forefinger (especially when there aren't grooves on either side) doesn't feel very secure when I keep my wrist straight.

Is it unusual to have more difficulty getting good at stropping than at shaving and honing?

Like most other things involved in this sport, the more you do them, the better you get. Some areas may take a little longer than others and you simply may just feel more comfortable in one area over another, but practice does make better unless it's bad practice.

Have fun.