Thread: Canvas Backing On Strop

Hi Fellas

Firstly, allow me to apologise if this topic has already been covered elsewhere. There is so much here to read and digest I am confident that I have not yet covered all of it.

Now, regarding razor strops. I do understand that there are differences but what I wonder at is the canvas backing available on some of them. It adds quite an amount to the cost and I am not entirely sure what it even does? What exactly is the purpose of it on the strop and what difference does it make? The one I do actually like and find very easy to use has no canvas backing. Some advice here would be great.

Many thanks

That's one of those things you either believe in or you don't. Many feel it has a mild abrasive effect on the razor and prepares it for the leather. Some think that's nonsense and skip it altogether.

Either way the canvas should not add that much to the price of the strop. After all it's just a piece of common material.

Just to make sure we are talking apples to apples here

Many CHEAP starter strops are scrap leather, not even really designed for Razor strops, they are basically Strop look alikes, so there can be a huge difference in prices between Proper Razor strops and other ones... So as TBS just posted the cost of the Linen/Webbing/Cotton/Canvas component is usually minimal...

The Linen does without a doubt do something, the only question is really what it for sure removes Micro-corrosion from the edge before it imbeds into your leather strop, that I can prove, other than that you just have to decide if it helps you

Thanks guys, this is very helpful.

I agree with Glen and TBS. Linen has been used for polishing for hundreds of years. That said, I question the usefulness of cotton as opposed to linen. Some cotton components of strops are canvas fire hose weave, others are more like tent canvas. Cotton has some minor abrasive qualities, but not on a par, I think, with linen. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

I agree with Glen and TBS. Linen has been used for polishing for hundreds of years. That said, I question the usefulness of cotton as opposed to linen. Some cotton components of strops are canvas fire hose weave, others are more like tent canvas. Cotton has some minor abrasive qualities, but not on a par, I think, with linen. Thoughts?

I have seen some with a poly like strap in place of cotton. Any good? Or will it cause more harm than benefit?

Originally Posted by Eekspa

I have seen some with a poly like strap in place of cotton. Any good? Or will it cause more harm than benefit?

I've seen that as well and have no idea. I wish I could've been more helpful...

May try putting some crom oxide on it and put it to use? I put some flitz on one once.. I don't know if it helpped really... It looked shiny... It did seem ro help the blade though.. I was just expermenting for no good reason.. I allways wondered about the chrom though..

I've been playing around with pastes and sprays and believe they do make a difference. Recently went for two Felt lap top models , pretreated, one with cr. the other diamond. They were under 20$ received. Well made and do make a difference.

To me, the purpose of the canvas strop is to refine the edge of the blade. In other words, to hone it. Used effectively, I find that I can dispense with a super-fine sharpening stone. A soft Arkansas is sufficient for sharpening the razor when necessary; usually around once a year. The rest of the time, when the razor starts to pull even after stropping on leather then a dozen or so laps on the canvas will bring back the edge.