Thread: Draw::: more or less?

Have we any opinions on this?
I have always used red latigo, but I think I am about to buy a steer hide which has less draw. What can I expect different in performance, if anything? Does it take more stropping or less? More skill or less? It what ways is it better or worse? I'm sure it's nice but maybe I should stick with the devil I know?

Leather strops are leather strops,Draw is just something you feel,do not think it means anything,at least that anyone has proven.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Leather strops are leather strops,Draw is just something you feel,do not think it means anything,at least that anyone has proven.

So, what your saying is that it does not affect performance? That is good! Does it in your opinion demand more skill? Less draw equals quicker pulls thus faster and there I go getting carried away and nicking it!! Just worried that changing may create some nicks that may not have happened if I had stuck to the red latigo I have.

I know I have a problem, I am the guy staring at my menu after everyone else has already ordered and moved on... decisions decisions

What I am saying is: If you know how to strop,You can strop on just about anything.
Quicker,faster should not be part of proper stropping.( sort of like sex)
Your goal should IMO be to develope a cadence that you use on any strop,I feel the results will always be the same, no matter what the draw is or the type of leather.

I like less draw. I've got a couple of latigo strops and can't comfortably use them. It feels like the razor is going to be snatched out of my grip. I feel like I'm more likely to miscue. A horse strop with very little to no draw is what I like and use.

Now a few years ago there was a thread where some guys said that if it ain't got draw it isn't doing anything. I don't agree with that. Like pix said, it is a matter of what you like, and I guess what you're used to.

I have thought about getting a TM steer strop and I have had a red latigo now (that I have nicked to learn on for 2-3 years) He says the steer is medium to light draw. Maybe I need to branch out and try new things...

Well latigo is cow and so is steer hide. I guess the treatment the maker gives makes the difference in draw. If you had anyone nearby with a horse hide and they would let you try it, you could see if you liked that. Thinking about it a horsehide is kind of like stropping on linen. Little or no draw.

It is a lot like the color of your slabs.

It has no discernible impact on the edge, and it is all about your preference.

I change my stropping routine a lot. For the last couple weeks I've used English Bridle on 1/4 hollows because it has more draw and have used my Tony Miller Steerhide for full hollows because it has a lot less draw. I read somewhere that some people like to do that. Does it make a difference? I don't know Sometimes I like to start on English Bridle and finish on Steerhide. Does it make a difference? BTW I think the Tony Miller Steerhide has a very light draw but that's just my opinion.

Most of the strop market is cowhides. If someone makes a horse strop, they'll tell you it's horse. Consider everything else to be cowhide of some type.

Personally, less draw for me. I don't need the razor spine creating a bunch of drag on a strop, especially on razors that don't have straight tangs, etc (like the dovo bismarck).

We should probably be having more conversations about linens on here than strops, though, as they are likely to have a greater effect on the keenness and maintenance of an edge.