With all the straight razor talk that goes on around here, it seems one important facet of the whole SR routine often gets overlooked: the razor strop. I'm going to assume that the majority, if not all, of the straight razor users here own at least ONE razor strop. Occasionally, I am asked for strop recommendations ("What kind of strop should I get?" "Whats the best strop?" "Which material?") and my suggestions vary, dependent upon how far along the individual is in his SR journey. In other words, I'm more likely to recommend to a beginner a decent starter strop than a Kanayama 80k. I currently own four strops: • Certifyd Red Imp #700 horsehide & linen • An old 'Barber's Special' horsehide & linen • Ilinois #827 'Russian Leather' & linen • Pasted Strop: Chrom Ox, .5 Diamond spray; 3" hard pressed wool felt I use one of the 3 non-pasted strops daily. The more I use them, the more familiar I become with the overall feel or draw each strop possesses. The pasted strop I use post-honing. If you have more than one type of strop, how do you use them? Are some more applicable to certain razors? What's your preference?
I have bad memories of razor strops lol. Let's just say my dad would not be allowed to play in the NFL. In hindsight however, he never spanked me undeservedly or to the point I would call abuse.
I have 3 strops One vintage russian shell horsehide/canvas One Illinois #127 cowhide/linen One vintage no name leather strop
I have SRD Natural 3" leather strop w/linen 3" Tony Miller fast bridle w/linen 3" pressed wool with cr ox 3" pressed wool with diamond spray Getting ready to buy a Westholme Horween
I have 1 paddlestrop where the leathers can be changed, the leathers I use are 2 roughed black 1 with .5 crox and 1 with .25 diamant. 1 black latigo 1 tanend mineral and 1 briddle. Got the strop from Rasurpur.
So Lou, which one is your go-to strop for most razors? Why use the TM over the SRD, or vice-versa? What will the Westholme provide that the others don't? How often do you use the 'pasted' felts? Why am I asking so many questions? Just curious about other member's choices in strops. I have a trio of strops that I'm currently learning through repeated use the differences in material or the effect upon the blade.
Lots of strops yep way too many Illinois #827's Leathers back to back with Pastes... CeOx x CrOx,, Dovo Red x Dovo Black TM back to back Leather .25 x .50 Diamond Pastes SRD back to back Pressed Felt .25 x .50 Diamond spray TI Paddle back to back leather Dovo Red x Dovo Black Three 24x3 inch Bench strops CeOx , CrOx, plain heavy draw Shell Leather Roo Strop with .010 CBN Out of all those, most hang unused for years now, I use .25~ CeOx and .30~ CrOx if I use paste at all after honing Plain hanging strops in order of use Illinois #827 - I use this 99% of the time Linen and Leather JimboRoo strop SRD Premium #1 Pelican made by Kanayama Craftsman Timber Tanned My very first Illinois #835 that I bought in 1981 So yep, way too many BTW they all work and they all present slightly different feelings to the edge, not better, not worse just slightly different...
"How to Strop A Razor"..........Thanks, Mike the Knife Guy. The last line of dialogue is particularly ironic.
Wow just Wow I am sure that stropping demonstration followed this honing regime **Warning neither video is correct**
OMG! LOL! I cringed when I watched this guy use the razor on his brick..... "Use milk as a lubricant...2% milk works best...or 18% cream.." "Tap the blade on the brick to loosen up the metal..."
I find the best part of the stropping Vid is the razor being stropped, a Krieger RSO which you could hone and strop till Hell freezes over and never get a shaving edge **Just cracking myself up now, ducks and heads back through the snow, out to the shop***
I started with one of Glen's bench strops and after getting a hanging strop, I pasted the bench strop with CrOx and use it for refreshes. My daily strop is a vintage horsehide / canvas one that I found for $5 and after a little leather conditioner and washing the canvas it's working pretty well. I figured this would be a good first hanging strop since I wouldn't be out much if I nicked it up. I have put a couple nicks in it but not too bad. I've got an SRD natural on the Christmas list.
I have 3. A 827 that is pasted but seldom used. (T.I. white) unknown Illinois oiled once with neatsfoot oil Kanayama I go in streaks but use the unknown Illinois the most. I do like the Kanayama the best but it's in my shop and the Illinois is nearer the bath room. I'll have to change that or start shaving in my shop again.
2 hanging strops, both 2.5" x 24" a scotch shell & linen 2-piece that's my daily driver a cordovan, russian & linen 3-piece that I use mainly on new edges fresh off the hones and one bench strop a 3" x 3" x 12" balsawood with chromium oxide that I'm using more like a finisher, after the stones and before the 3-piece. I've an idea that I might do touch-ups on it as well, but none of my edges are worn enough yet to need a tune-up, so I'll have to wait a while to see how that pans out. I may duck down the rabbit hole at some point, or maybe not; but for now at least I'm diggin' the relative minimalism of just these.
Tony Miller Heirloom Old No. 2 with linen Tony Miller Old Heirloom No. 2 Minimalist with cotton Tony Miller Artisan Tony Miller Vegan Kanayama Fine Stars SRD Kangaroo SRD Natural SRD Bridlework Walkin' Horse horsehide (2) Illinois 127 horsehide Scrupleworks with linen Page Belting Company 400 camel Gemstar customs bench strop Diamond slurry on felt bench strop CrOx on leather bench strop Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) on nanocloth on glass I mainly use the Tony Miller Old Number 2 strops and the linen strops with the the Tony Miller and the Scrupleworks and the CrOx and CBN, when needed.
I have 5 strops but use my Illinois 361 most of the time. I have a few custom strops I made myself and a few vintage "projects" that need some work.
I own only one strop. It's a Dovo leather/linen that came with my first new straight. After spending nearly 4 months learning how to use it and not kill a freshly honed edge, I'm not about to part with it or replace it now. We've a history, me and that strop.
The brick video may be facetious; but I fear Mike the knife guy is sincere…in an insincere slimy car salesman kind of way.
