Thread: Progressive Stropping - Is There A Benefit?

Reminds of the old Barber shop in the small town where I grew up. This place was old. Spitoons, shoe shine stand that seated 4. High ceilings with ceiling fans, the works. One old barber had a strop with at least 10 types of leather. He told me one was elephant hide. Wish I had that strop now, if only for a curiosity!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Reminds of the old Barber shop in the small town where I grew up. This place was old. Spitoons, shoe shine stand that seated 4. High ceilings with ceiling fans, the works. One old barber had a strop with at least 10 types of leather. He told me one was elephant hide. Wish I had that strop now, if only for a curiosity!

Damn, really? You sure you didn't step through a time portal? That's pretty cool and I wish there were shops like that still around. But as Pa used to say, "You can wish in one hand, and sh*t in the other, and see which one fills up faster..."

I wonder did the barber make up that strop himself? I've perused many an old barber supply catalog and don't remember seeing any "Ten leather" strops or anything of the sort. Love old anecdotes like that though.

I have one strop . It's a Tony Miller , horse hide , and linen (so I guess it's really two strops) . It's all the strop I need . It's all the strop I will ever need .

Originally Posted by honedright

Damn, really? You sure you didn't step through a time portal? That's pretty cool and I wish there were shops like that still around. But as Pa used to say, "You can wish in one hand, and sh*t in the other, and see which one fills up faster..."

I wonder did the barber make up that strop himself? I've perused many an old barber supply catalog and don't remember seeing any "Ten leather" strops or anything of the sort. Love old anecdotes like that though.

I looked at it often as it fascinated me. It was at least a few inches thick and hung on his chair. I remember long brass Chicago bolts held the strops together. Each one was a different hide. Doubt he made it, though. It was really old back then, over 45 years ago. It was cool!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Reminds of the old Barber shop in the small town where I grew up. This place was old. Spitoons, shoe shine stand that seated 4. High ceilings with ceiling fans, the works. One old barber had a strop with at least 10 types of leather. He told me one was elephant hide. Wish I had that strop now, if only for a curiosity!

My ma-in-law said she wanted to leave me 'something special' when she goes - that elephant hide strop might just be on the horizon. Limited quantities though - she's only good for a couple of hundred.

Only joking, ma...

Regards,
Neil

If she is anything like my Ma in law, Neil, thats some tough abrasive stuff! No pasting required!

I'm just wondering how the blazes I'm going to get the wrinkles out, Tom!

I have three leather strops that I use in progression. The feel on each is slightly different. 1st is a "Deep-Cut" Diamond 'Russia Back' the back is cut in thousands of small diamond squares.
2nd Gem Leather- Milwaukee
3rd shell horse hide 107 "Memphis Razor Strop Co"
Do about 20 on the 1st 2 then 40 on the Shell.
Ideas? Seems to make a difference~?
Do have a question. The Russia Back - Why? Thanks

The Russia back was probably machine-cut on the backside to make a "hone" side to the strop, The serrations cut into it makes for more aggressive stropping. It works now as it did!
In good shape, of course!

Yes, they are machine cut. Small and very accurate. Will try it .