Thread: advice please: best cheap strop

I have an Illinios 827, which is an excellent and good looking strop, and you can pick them up cheap on Amazon.com.

Another vote for Whipped Dog. I have the double strop, myself.

Whatever you get I would advise at least 2 1/2 wide by 23" or so long. This was the default size of pro barber strops for 100 years and there may have been a good reason for it. The 3" wide strops are also very popular and functional. When you get into 2" they will work. Guys use them and I'll bet some will read this and say how great they are. Nevertheless, the longer and wider strops are easier to use, especially for a new guy. That Illinois 827 would be a good choice IMO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Whatever you get I would advise at least 2 1/2 wide by 23" or so long. This was the default size of pro barber strops for 100 years and there may have been a good reason for it. The 3" wide strops are also very popular and functional. When you get into 2" they will work. Guys use them and I'll bet some will read this and say how great they are. Nevertheless, the longer and wider strops are easier to use, especially for a new guy. That Illinois 827 would be a good choice IMO.

Many Thanks Jimmy!

Great solid and well thought out counsel as always!!

Another vote for the 3" strop. They're easier for a new straight shaver to use.

I do not have one yet, but I have read a lot of good things about the Big Daddy strops from Star Shaving (Home Page). They have 3 inch stops in Bridle and Latigo leather in the $35-$40 range.

The 3" Big Daddy from Star Shaving was my first strop. Nice quality for the price.