What strop do you reach for most? I used to use my 3" Tony Miller Honey Brown all the time and it was my workhorse.....I also have an old dual sided Hand American Red Latigo I used quite often.... Sadly, not enough room in the bathroom forces me to rotate my strops in there...lately I have been using my Tony Miller Artisan strops the most w/ dual leather.....Horsehide / Latigo and his Linen / Canvas dual strop. I also have a dual Hand American Cordovan Horsehide strop that has incredible draw on the diamond imprinted side and works very well.....I still seem to use the Tony Miller Artisans the most though... I had a couple old Illinois strops, but the leather was getting pretty bad on them and I haven't replaced them yet...... Here's some of mine.... What strops are some of your favorites? or your favorite strop? Enquiring minds want to know.....
I hear ya.....I made some room in the basement. Has anyone tried any of these ? Really great prices on the Illinois strops...
TM strops are great almost too good as i worry when I use them for nicks. I have an Illinois strop and find the quality of the leather wanting.
Yes, that's where I bought my 2.5" cowhide, draw is somewhat iffy and I've never used the linen/canvas side. I have a Proforma Strop that is 2 3/4" wide and is very stable and has a nice draw. I was gonna order a TM but he closed at noon today until the first of the year. I'll get to it then...
@ Lee....I forget.....what model # Illinois strop did you go with? Is the surface just a bit rough? I have heard really great things about Damon's strops and with those prices it's really hard to go wrong. Steve what model / style of strop were you going to get from Tony?
Artisan Red Latigo, I think he was only showing a 2.5 at the time. His latest statement is: "My Products Will Be Back On January 7th 2009 I will open in 2009 with my Artisan Red Latigo and Horsehide models in both 2 1/2" and 3" widths. Genuine linen will again be an option on all models and my newest 2" Old School Artisans will be back in January as well. Thanks and see you again soon!"
Sounds good, his Red Latigo looks really nice.....I have the black and it's sweet I may have to go take a look
I have Tony's Artisan #2. It is still great looking and has a great draw even after all the beating I have given it. (More nicks than I care to mention).
Hey guys, glad you have enjoyed my products. I will be back very soon but really wanted to spend time with family this year and put business on the back burner. Our entire family will be together this year and I am not about to miss it! I already have components cut for both 2 1/2" and 3" Artisans in both Latigo and Horsehide and will have them ready around the 7th of January. I am redesigning my Apprentice strop as well to give more hardware options and allow it to "grow" with you by adding a second leather component for pasting or finish stropping down the road. Thanks for all your support over the past 4 years and I'll be back soon. BTW, I have been away from this forum a while and see it really has grown. I didn;t realize what I was missing...lots of nice posts. I'll have to make it a regular stop! Take care, Tony
Welcome back, Tony. Nice to see you again. You definitely need to take the time with your family. But we'll be looking forward to the new stuff!
Yeah, welcome back, Tony! You sure deserve a holiday with your family away from making strops and stuff!
I don't have very much experience with different strops. I have a few Russian no-name strops, a German strop (the same make that is branded "Dovo" sometimes) and a Tony Miller strop. The Tony Miller strop is exceptional and definitely my favourite! The Russian no-names are very good too, perfect for paste! The German strop is easy to bring along when I travel, but it's far to small for ordinary use.
Awesome collections guys. I'm going to pull the trigger on a razor this week, I've decided. I also need a strop, and I was thinking of getting a Tony Miller...Recommended to start? Also, due to space constraints, I want a paddle strop...there is literally NO way to hang a strop in my bathroom...not even close. Paddle strop ok?
I have a TM strop that I use when I shave with a straight, but I just love my DEs too much, so my straights see very little use.
You should give them a loving home for Christmas (pm me for details!!) I have only tried three hanging strops - my tony miller latigo is now my only hanging strop!
hahah Who wants a straight with my last name etched in to it. :happy102 Just kidding, I love my straights, I just seem to reach for my DEs.
A paddle will do the job but being smaller it will take more passes and effort than a larger hanging strop. Some find the rigid surface easier to use but some have trouble with the motion of following a straight path. I used a wide 3" paddle for 2 months straight and still had edegs comparable to using a hanging strop. I typically use mine while sitting and the end resting on my leg so I have a bit of give to it that evens out any variations between the flat surface and a possible less than straight and flat arm movement. Any paddle should be rested on something to make it more stable. Just because it has a single handle does not mean it is meant to use like a sword <g> Tony
