Thread: Is 3" too wide of a strop?

for some reason a 21/2 just didnt work for me , it kept feeling like my hold was almost twisting it and not making it a flat surface .. although i was getting used to it i ended up getting a 3" and i couldnt be happier with my choice !!!!

My head is swimming with details! If I tilt it, all of the straight razor info will leak out! Was just informed that the Dovo 193-45002 Linen/Russian leather strop is the one to buy, as the linen is pre treated. Supposedly it retails for around $120.00, but I noticed that Royal Shave has a Dovo Leather/Linen model that measures 17 3/4" long with a padded leather handle for around $112.00. Not sure if this is the same one nor what width it is. Is cupping a problem with the 3": wide models? Thought that they'd be easier to use, as no X pattern required on the 3" models, correct? Has anybody used the Big Daddy model that sells for around $38.00 on EBay and sold by Star Shaving Supplies? Again, thanx for your help-Gearhead222.

Thanx, Sir Stropalot! Great info!

The width of the strop is something you have to decide for yourself since it is after all your strop. As long as there's no cupping of the strop and it remains flat, you should be fine.

That is WAY too wide. You should send it to me as soon as possible, before something bad happens. I'll make sure it's put to good use - I mean, disposed of, properly, of course. It's OK, I've dealt with this sort of thing before.

Gentlemen, a 3" strop is as easy to control as a 2" strop. Actually, I have never heard of a 3" strop being difficult to control. My preference is for the 2.5 strop, although I have had 3" strops and no problem stropping.

Started with a 3 inch and stayed with it. It is my only strop and I see no need for another. It is a bridle leather/hard felt combo. Had I started with a different size I might still have that as an only strop. I think you just get used to whatever size you use and the rest is personal preference.

Bob

Honemeister is a vastly overrated / devalued term.
Seems like these days anyone who can rub a razor to a rock is a honemeister

Unless it is one of a few seniors, said honemeister might not be doing this hobby much longer than you. I've been doing this for quite a while now, and I wouldn't call myself that, even though I know that I can hone pretty much anything to the point where it is shaveready.

Btw, it is a dirty little secret that a good number of 'honemeisters' send someone else's razor on to an actual expert if it needs more than just a quick bevel reset / touchup. They won't tell you of course. And they'd rather pay someone else than admit they can't actually hone problematic razors. Honemeister is the new snakeoil.

Anyway, 3" strops work perfectly fine. I have a 3" SRD strop, and it's been doing fine for more than a year now. Still flat, still doesn't cup. No problems with it. And a good 2" strop would work fine as well. The only difference is that crappy 3" strops are much worse than crappy 2" strops because crappy strops deform, and with increased width comes increaded deformity.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen, a 3" strop is as easy to control as a 2" strop. Actually, I have never heard of a 3" strop being difficult to control. My preference is for the 2.5 strop, although I have had 3" strops and no problem stropping.

Now that depends what you're gonna use the piece of leather for.

What most others said. Once you learn how to use a strop properly the size doesn't matter.

I prefer a 3 inch strop. I haven't had any cupping problems with any of mine.