Item Description
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 disappointed, at least until it came! Now, I opted for the pure linen strop, and I know that linen is either really liked or really not - one of those personal preferences. I'll touch on that first; I've never used canvas, but just on principle, I'm sure it's excellent, and maybe even better than linen. I just don't know, but you folks can set me straight. All I can say is that on a few older and well-used straights, I used my Norton 4000/8000, then went to the linen on this strop, followed by the rough side, and finally, the smooth Latigo leather with all of them, and they shave wonderfully. The linen - to me - seemed to do exactly what it's supposed to do. Now, maybe the canvas would have done the same, for $11 less, but I'm really pleased with the linen strop. Before I touch on the leather, a word on construction; how any leather product, from any genre, could be better-made, more substantial, etc., I have no idea. I have no doubt but that this (and other of Tony's strops) represents the apex of strop manufacture. Every bit of it seems almost overbuilt, it's stunningly beautiful, the leather is just a perfect thickness - thick enough to be substantial, yet pliable enough to be extremely easy to use. The "rough" side of this Red Latigo might be my most pleasant surprise, at least when compared with other strops. The draw is quite firm, yet totally comfortable. It's just "uniform"...no bumps, just one gorgeous piece of suede. The first time that I stropped on that beautiful wide swath of Red Latigo, I knew I'd keep this strop until it literally falls apart. The draw is definitely more pronounced than my horsehide strop, but I love that. It makes my razors sing, and leaves the most marvelous edge. In short, it's a magnificent setup, in looks and function. No, it isn't cheap, and while I don't have any extensive collection of strops, I can't believe that there's anything out there that could outperform this. If I read a review one day that says there is, then I'll buy it. Until that unlikely "then", this is my ideal. I know you like them, Joel, but my hat's off to my friend Ted, Stogieiv, who basically just told me that this was the one I needed, period. He was right. My highest recommendation goes to this. Tony - keep up the amazing work... Alan
