Any recommendations for a decent strop and whetstone in the UK?

Hi guys - thanks for your help in my last post I now have a nicely restored razor!

Now I need some stuff to keep it in working condition so I don't have to keep getting it professionally honed and stropped.

I am wondering if any of you guys know any decent but reasonably priced strops that I may get - either on Amazon, eBay or an online retailer? I know that the more money you spend the better they are but I was hoping to find a good but inexpensive one - any reccomended brands?

And the same again for a whetstone... is it a normal thing to hone your own razor or do most people send it off? I just think getting a whetstone and learning to sharpen it myself would prove cheaper in the long run. Is a whetstone the best thing to use - and again, where may I get a decent but reasonably priced one?

Thanks guys :)

The Invisible Edge is the place I'd recommend for a one-stop shop in the UK.

It's also worth having a look at Eden Webshop for Naniwa's.

BST sections on UK-based forums are also worth looking at as well.

Go to your local horse tack shop and have them cut you a piece of 3 1/2" latigo or harness leather. Tack shops seem to carry better leather than Tandy. Tell them what you want if for, leather with a smooth surface, and they'll know what to give you. It'll cost you $10.

You'll only need one stone to start honing; the Norton 4/8K. It's 3 1/2" wide so it's forgiving and easy to master for a newbie. You can get one at your local Woodcraft or here on SRP/SRD. Once you learn honing, you can get a finishing stone later as luxury. Most love the Naniwa 12K.... so smooooth an edge. Have fun!

You don't need a whetstone, you either need a set of them, or a barbers stone. Or even both :|
To be honest, you should wait with honing until you've mastered everything else, including stropping. That way you won't buy the wrong thing, and more importantly - you won't ruin your razor.

Thans for the info guys, really appreciated. Right I will just get a strop for now then - how often do you need to get razors honed - could I last 9 months with just stropping?

frankimposter,

I would send a PM to Mr Neil Miller (he is an SRP member).

His strops are world class :)

Please have a peek at his website : www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration

Good luck !

Best regards

Russ