different kinds of strops

i heard there are many different kinds of strops. which one is the best

newspaper
denim
balsa wood
leather belt

Hmmmmm.....loaded question.

Newspaper is abrasive, and can therefore be used briefly for a touch-up when your razor has the slightest little tug to it.

Balsa wood is a good conduit for Chromium Oxide, which is also an abrasive.

Denim is ok, but many prefer linen or the poly webbing commonly found in racecar seat belts, or SRD.

Leather is your final stropping material. It puts the nicest edge on a razor, which is why it has been used for so many years. The most common progression is to begin on linen/webbing, and finish on leather.

Now....want to talk about the different types of leather? :D

If you can't get ahold of a regular razor strop, then newspaper would work the best... I would think.. Balsa(with paste), is good.. But not for final stropping. A leather belt is to large of a parameter to say whether it would be good or not.. If it was a smooth 2 inch wide belt, then yes. I don't know about denim, i have never tried it.

Are we limited to just those choices? Quality Leather is my choice with newspaper next. If I don't have to be tied to those choices then the best strop is my own handmade 'roo hide strop.


Mick