Strops (Reviews)

Okay, I will admit it. I have a weak spot for strops. I also have a very weak spot for tools that combine tradition with progress. Let me introduce you to a combination of both. I have had this strop for about a week now. Since then, I could not resist the temptation to sneak into the bathroom and strop, strop, and strop again. While the leather did indeed feel a little slick in the beginning, it has now acquired a tremendous amount of draw. For comparison purposes, my The Different...

Although Tony Miller is a well-known strop maker who has deservedly garnered the respect of many, I decided to try out a Straight Razor Designs strop. This strop consists of Premium I leather and Cotton Herringbone canvas. This combination is not normally available. However, through a wonderful feature called "Build Your Own Strop," I was able to create this custom pairing. Appearance At first glance, I notice the richness of tan leather. There are black and red Latigo options but...

This is my first paddle strop and I only wish it had been available to buy two years ago when I first started straight razor shaving. I'd handled Dovo paddle strops but wanted something with more substance and hadn't found it until now. Steve Dempster of the Invisible Edge seems to be putting out some very high quality custom items at the moment, and the service is both friendly and efficient (shave ready is truly shave ready from this place). As soon as I saw these paddle strops on his...

This is my first strop from Tony, and was recommended to me by my friend Stogieiv. I went to his site, wanting this model, but in horsehide. I have an older Illinois horsehide strop, and another strop that's cowhide, and thought that if I was going to pay this kind of money, I might as well get the best, horsehide. I got an e-mail back from Tony, informing me that until further notice, he had no supply of horsehide, and recommended the Red Latigo model. Honest truth, guys, I was a little...

When I heard there was a fella making strops other than Tony, I just knew I had to have one. I bought some of Tony's strops back when he first started making them, and I haven't had a single regret since, so when I heard of the new fella in town, Damon - Proforma Strops, I quickly ordered up a 2.75 inch wide Red Latigo strop to see how it would compare. My Proforma Red Latigo strop (on left) next to my now pasted (green chrome) Tony Miller Beginner strop. (Note: The beginner strop I have...

Artisan 3" Horsehide on the left - Red Latigo on the right.... First - let me say, Tony makes some beautiful strops..... I mean they are really something special. Second - let me say, no one "needs" a $100 strop. Now - onto the review.... Stropping surface: The cut of horsehide is nice and thick, and there certainly is no "skimp" on materials here. The horsehide is exceptionally smooth, and the razor just glides across the strop with tremendous ease. There is pretty much no draw...