Thread: 2" V 3"

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Umm...our Aussie friends might remind us that their national hero was killed by one.

Actually, I'm a little affronted by the idea that you think he was our national hero; he was a product. And he ran a business. A likeable fellow, but a bit draining; a bit 'in your face'. I myself enjoy a less invasive style of nature enjoyment; I'm not intent on dragging every reptile, mammal, monotreme, bird, fish or insect out of its natural habitat and thrusting its perplexed little face and genitalia into a camera...

..just a sec; we're talking about STROPS???

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Actually, I'm a little affronted by the idea that you think he was our national hero; he was a product. And he ran a business. A likeable fellow, but a bit draining; a bit 'in your face'. I myself enjoy a less invasive style of nature enjoyment; I'm not intent on dragging every reptile, mammal, monotreme, bird, fish or insect out of its natural habitat and thrusting its perplexed little face and genitalia into a camera...

My apologies. I did learn a great deal from Mr. Irwin's programmes. Sorry if I offended you.

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

My apologies. I did learn a great deal from Mr. Irwin's programmes. Sorry if I offended you.

Oh no, no offence, it's my fault for living here...

I think it comes down to personal preference. I have both, use both, and like both. Interesting enough, though, most of my DIY paddles are 2".

I've seen vintage strops marked "sealskin" on the bay. When I was a kid I was fascinated watching the barbers strop their razors. Back then they always shaved the back of your neck and around the ears after a haircut. Some still do. So you would see them strop their razors often. In those days, AFAIK, a 2 1/2 x 23" strop was default for a pro barber strop.

They had squared off ends, not leather grips at the end. Those were shorter, sometimes thinner and meant for home use. One old barber I knew, Frank Natal, had been cutting hair for 50+ of his 70 years, and he swore by a dubl duck strop that had turned black and was hard as a rock. The strop I coveted was the Red Imp that Tom Coppeto had. Watching him strop was a treat. Poetry in motion. He was also a 50 year barber but I knew him when I was a child.

Finally got a nice Red Imp off of the bay and it is a great strop.

Originally Posted by diyguy

I think it comes down to personal preference. I have both, use both, and like both. Interesting enough, though, most of my DIY paddles are 2".

Paddles are a different story.. That's where I'd prefer a 3" and that's what I got (well it's a 3" piece of leather contact-cemented on a piece of marble tile, so more of a bench hone)

I really get a kick out of these conversations. I remember almost fist fighting rather than even trying another strop besides my 2 1/2 inch strops. Wouldn't budge forever. Then I reluctantly gave in and tried one and have found the 3 inch to be the easiest strop in the world to use both in the hanging and paddle versions. I had the same aversion to the longer strops as well.

This is so much a decision driven by either personal choice or agenda......

Have fun.

I presonally like the 3" strops... but wouldn't recommend to a beginner. There is much good learned from the X stroke that applies to other things... so a 2" is perfect for that. Plus, I have a couple blades that are longer than 3" cutting edge, so I still need to use the X

Originally Posted by Lynn

I really get a kick out of these conversations. I remember almost fist fighting rather than even trying another strop besides my 2 1/2 inch strops. Wouldn't budge forever. Then I reluctantly gave in and tried one and have found the 3 inch to be the easiest strop in the world to use both in the hanging and paddle versions. I had the same aversion to the longer strops as well.

This is so much a decision driven by either personal choice or agenda......

Have fun.

It's good to know you go through the same thought processes or dreck lol!! ; )