Strop help!

Hi there, Im fairly knew to straight shaving(i started last fall). Im having trouble stropping on my Vintage Blades 3" Black Latigo strop- Vintage Blades LLC*::*Razor Strops*::*Vintage Blades 3" Hanging Razor Strop in Black Latigo Leather and White Linen, It has way to much Draw/drag on it! Ive tried a few vintage strops made out of horsehide and loved them. But horsehide strops seem to be pretty spendy and hard to find. Im wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a strop with very little draw! Or can give me some other advise on making a strop or other ideas are welcome.
Thanks,
Durand

How did the strop feel when nearly new and broken in? Have you tried cleaning the strop surface? I wipe my TM latigo strop with a slightly dampened (near dry) cloth when it starts to have too much drag. The cloth has just enough dampness to help remove surface residues without leaving the strop wet. It dries almost immediately. This treatment usually restores stropping drag to a reasonable level and makes it smooth. I also rewipe the strop with a dry cloth, or my hand, and wipe my blade if I detect anything that feels like surface dirt or grit affecting stropping smoothness.

HTH

I ran into that same situation early on with a buffalo strop. I had trouble keeping the edge from lifting. Bought a SRD Premium I strop and it solved the issue. Now, to be fair, I still have that buffalo strop and I tried it again maybe a year after I had replaced it and, what do you know, it didn't seem like much draw at all. I had been using too much pressure on the strop and caused it to drag. Same reason I had been dulling my edges too. You might try a lighter stroke.

Here's an informative video by Lynn on stropping, and strops. It may or may not answer your question, but it's enjoyable and has good info. :D

And, Welcome to the forum!! Glad to have you on board!!

Regards,

Howard :)

Straight Razor Stropping for Beginners - YouTube

I think I may be also using a little to much pressure! Randy Tuttle recommended me to try burnishing the strop with a glass jar! Im going to try this and see how it works! Otherwise I think Im going to try a different leather!

Burnishing should smooth out the texture/nap or what ever you call it and that should reduce drag. Randy would sure know!! :D

:gl:


Howard :)

Edit: Had to look up "knap", wrong one. It's "nap". :thinking: ?

Great lessons by Lynn to offer up Howard. This home of ours has a treasure of education for new and experienced wet shavers.
And welcome to the forum durandkahn.

Durandkhan,

Try polishing the surface with a micro-fibre cloth.

I do this with my new latigo strops to remove the excess surface wax, and it has worked well.

Polish everyday for a week and see if it improves :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ