Thread: What makes a good Strop

Hello Gents, Im very new to this new addiction I have started, however I am at a loss as to what makes a good strop. I go to AOS store and they have one for like $85, then I look around on the interweb and find them for every price you can imagine. So... what is a good beginners strop, and why? I know that a noob like me should stay away from trying to strop my own blade, however I have decide to buy a less expensive straight and lear how on that, and leave my new straight alone and allow a pro to strop it for me. Is this a good idea? Or, am wasting my time with the cheaper straight because it will be harder to learn on? Thanks for your time, look forward to the advice.

A very good and inexpensive method to learn stropping is with a butter knife and an old belt. There are plenty of good stropping vids here on SRP from which to learn. Also, a folded newspaper can be used in lieu of a belt or strop. Good luck!

I had no idea about strops, still don't too, when I started out. I just jumped in and got a 3 inch bridle leather one thinking a 3 inch would avoid the added need to learn the X stroke. I don't regret that move. I do regret not see the advice to practice with a butter knife and old belt. OTH I did learn strop repair quickly and am still using the same strop.

So no real advice except to say getting a 3 inch version still seems a good idea to me. Be prepared to dull your blade while learning to strop and having to get it rehoned. That seems to be a price of entry into the stropping world that most beginners have to pay.

Bob

What makes a good strop? A good person using it.

Seriously, I have used several grades of leather over the years and other than "feel" they all seem to work fine (or at least better than the variability in my abilities).

I would suggest that a starter strop should be selected based on your finances. If you can spare the money, buy a nice Latigo strop with the sort of handles you think you will like. If and when you cut it, you can either repair it or buy a replacement leather for the strop handles.

I think it is best to learn on the dimensions and handles that you hope to eventually use...if you can afford it.

Once you get it down, you will be able to strop on any configuration...I just like developing muscle memory in the easiest possible manner.

Good luck

I was always thinking of cutting up old ripped jeans in to strips.
that would fit on to a scrap peice of lumber.
So that i would have something to put the pastes on to try the pastes.
cause i don't want to put paste on a nice strop new or vintage.
might be a good way a cheap way to pratice stroping.
so that when you get a really nice strop you don't cut the heck out of it.