Thread: An alternative Strop that can be disinfected?

In another thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...out-there.html It was discussed that barbershop sanitation and legality of using a carbon steel or stainless strait razor rather than a shavette differs depending on location and preference. So far I have yet to find any written prohibitions or documents that don't allow it in my state and although the barber from SC says that sanitation with Barbicide and a UV tool cabinet are sufficient, the issue seems to dead end at the strop. Its fairly unfeasible to truly sterilize a leather strop. From what I have read the vegan materials require less care but tend to arch and are flattened by the razors contact, so I have been looking for rubber strops or a rubberised material that would have a similar draw without a reaction to moisture. I did find Neoprene Rubber Razor Strap which are made for the S&M community that may be suitable and they advertise that they will modify the design to suit. That way a barber could reach for the strop during a shave and afterward sterilize it just like the other tools with plastic and rubber bits without any such danger of transmuting any pathogens to a freshly sterilized razor.

Interesting problem. I read once that straight razor shaving was the most sanitary option, BECAUSE of the strop, so I find the problem a new concern.

I guess I would also be forced to say that without a good strop a traditional blade might not have any real benefit over the disposable.

I know that rubber does work though.

I think it would be neat, though less effective, if you could cut a newspaper in a three inch width and then tear off a sheet with every stropping.

I would also suggest confirming that there is in fact microbes and such on a strop, they get pretty warm.

I originally made the argument that a strop would not have a chance to contract a pathogen if a freshly sterilized razor was used each time but I was corrected that barbers would reach for the strop multiple times throughout a single customers shave to maintain keenness. Its also been mentioned in other threads that guys with heavier whiskers might want to re-strop between passes for ease and comfort. I will sometimes strop up two razors so I have a fresh edge for my final pass. It would be expensive to have enough razors to be able to grab a fresh one every time a fresh edge was required by the barber considering the amount of shaves in a day or a 5 day work week. From what I have gleamed so far more draw less time stropping and I would theorize that machined rubber would be more uniform in grain that natural leather and the rounded edges sound like less possibility for nicking. R&D for sure.