Ok, so I've been using my Illinois #127 for quite some time now, and I've been looking to expand my strop collection; unfortunately my holy grail (Black Shell Cordovan) is out of the price range still so I'm looking for some opinions. I've been perusing one of the Canadian vendors who has a great deal for the Premier Strop Co latigo strops (Black or red) that is well known enough as the same guys who supply StraightRazorDesigns their latigo strops - I have a feeling a couple of you may have both the Illinois and Latigo and was wondering how you compare the draw on each of them. Essentially I'm looking to potentially grab 2 of them and cut one down to a 12" stropping surface, toss some ChrOx on the inner of the webbing and use it as a travel strop while keeping the other as a full size home strop - I've already been to Tandy here in Edmonton and wasn't impressed with their 3" wide leather strips for the time being but may revisit them to get some stuff to make my own horse down the road.
Nice. I've been eyeing a new strop for sometime, so I eagerly await the direction you go and the opinions you garner here. Currently, I use my one & only, very first strop—a WD 3" that has been endlessly abused by it's novice owner (me!). I have been info gathering, reading reviews and comments by those more informed and experienced. SRD Strop Review
Yeah I haven't experimented with draws enough, I'm tempted to get a natural because it's listed as going light to medium when broken in, I'm not sure where the Illinois lays, which is what can help me pick an instant love. The Roo could be good too as I've heard the thin leather is outstanding for travel as it can be rolled without much fear of creasing the leather... SO MANY CHOICES!
I am admittedly NOT a strop expert when it comes to the different types of leathers etc: I either like a strop or I don't and it is based only on performance for ME My favorite draw is from a good Illinois #827 and I use one on every razor I hone professionally My favorite strop period is a Kanyama made King Pelican but I hardly ever use it because it matches my King Pelican razor that I am eventually going to sell to @Jamie for huge money I have a Vintage Timber Tanned Craftsman that is also in mint condition that I only use with my Mint Craftsman razor that is a slick leather and very very fast when I use it on occasion. I would never use it on a daily basis as the action is way to fast I have a Two Roo's they are incredibly finishing strops, just incredible, one I use for CBN, the other is a perfect travel strop for the exact reason stated it rolls without issue I have a couple of others that get rare use My goto personal strop is a SRD Premium #1 Three inch wide that I love because the draw is similar to the #827 for me, Honestly though I am not hugely fond of 3 inch wide Hanging strops, I like the 2.5 or even better the 2.75 I know what does the 1/2 to 1/4 inch difference mean, but it makes a difference to me.. And there ya go my knowledge of different strops I have tried many more at the meets, in fact you name it I have probably stropped a razor on one, I haven't found anything that made me run and buy one.. If I were spending money right now I think I would talk to Neil Miller over in England his Leather is really nice, but the Linen and Cotton he uses stand out to me.. JMHO
I use a black latigo bench strop and it's the only one I've ever had, so take this post with a grain of salt. I've never had any problem with mine and I've never put any kind of dressing or oil on it and it works fine for me. I've read some reviews from people with a whole bunch more experience than me say that latigo is too smooth to really do much for the edge. Again there's no problem on my end with the latigo.
Hmmm, I suppose I could suck it up and just grab myself a latigo to try out the draw on it for myself, because like shaving its different for every person; any quality leather does the trick, the draw is just a matter of personal preference by the wielder of the steel. The Roo has caught my eye for a LONG time as a finishing strop, ever since SRD no longer has horsehide, only problem I see is when I turn the second one into a travel strop I'd absolutely hate to see the extra few inches of that leather hacked off because Lynns strops are so beautiful LOL. I do of course love my 127 I just want something a little wider as I used to love that width for stropping with my old paddles, that and my Illinois has a little character from the last couple of years (Including the re-learning phase) and may need to gracefully retire.
I would check out Tony Miller's current selection. His strops are well crafted and he is a joy to work with.
I've kept my strop buying to a minimum. I have 2 Illinois strops that are older than dirt. Last winter I picked up a Kanayama. I don't know if the Kanayama does a better job than my 2 older strops but it is a pleasure to use and I find myself using it just about exclusively. I really don't know how to explain it other than it has a superb feel to it and adds a level of enjoyment to my stropping.
I don't know how to explain that either, other than I probably shouldn't be on the computer at work, too much stuff going on, lol.
I have the Illinios 827 strop and i find it has quite a heavy draw, whereas my vintage 2" horsehide has a velvety smooth draw that i find is a great finisher
I have The Natural, a Red Latigo, a Walking Horse & a Kanayama 80000...which do I use the most...well the Kanayama cause I spent so much bloody money on it that I'd feel bad if I didn't...lol. But seriously, it is a fantastic strop and maybe it's just the luxury of it that gives me the sense that it performs better You really have to decide what is best for yourself...if you like more draw then a Latigo is definitely the way to go and if you want buttery smooth then you get into the Shell Cordovans. It;'s a shame that Tony Miller doesn't ship to Canada anymore as I've heard his strops are superb...and for myself I'd rather support an Artisan Vendor who delivers in limited amounts rather than mass production. In the end, the strop can either make or break the shave.
I've only just seen this post Glen, I'm so pleased you are keeping that King Pelican for me as soon as my lottery ticket comes up I will coming to get her.
I believe that you will find bridle leather the best and latigo leather the next best. Russian leather is said to be very fine but I have no experience with it myself. A paddle strop may perform better since it will not flex when you use it.
