I really like slick strops with very limited draw. I don't want to have to throw my shoulder out stropping.
What do you all recommend?
What do you all recommend?
Considering a New Strop: draw concerns.
- Thread starter Brooksie967
- Start date
I really like slick strops with very limited draw. I don't want to have to throw my shoulder out stropping.
What do you all recommend?
I have tried various latigo, Russian leather, cordovan, and horsehide strops. Horsehide has very light fast draw. None of the others are close. Bison makes a nice horsehide that is available from a couple of sources in country. Never tried kangaroo but maybe someone will chip in on it. Good luck.
Shell Cordovan.
- Thread starter
- #4
My current strop is a vintage medal of award with scotch shell and belfast linen it's gorgeous but I want something new and upgraded.
Neil Miller's Shell Cordovan and Natural Linen .. 2 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches. Slickest strop I've ever used .. Bar none!
http://www.strop-shop.co.uk/
http://www.strop-shop.co.uk/
- Thread starter
- #6
Wowzers that is nice.
Kanayama, Tony Miller.
Tony's have a touch more draw and I prefer them. The Kanayama is a shell cordovan and it is slicker than snot.
Tony's have a touch more draw and I prefer them. The Kanayama is a shell cordovan and it is slicker than snot.
You have an embarrassment of choices. Tony or Neil Miller. I have two from Tony, would like one from Neil. Kanayama leather is as good as anyone's though I find the level of quality in the hardware to be much higher with Tony. Also hear good things about Scrupleworks.
These are high end strops. None of them cheap, but all of them worth it. Frankly, I think Tonys are tremendous value.
These are high end strops. None of them cheap, but all of them worth it. Frankly, I think Tonys are tremendous value.
Agreed on the value.
I was hearing all of the talk of Tony's strops, and after seeing the prices of Neil, and buying two Kanayama strops, I was expecting Tony's to be in the $200 range... but they are not.
Tony's most excellent #2 with true linen is cheaper than many lesser quality strops.
I was hearing all of the talk of Tony's strops, and after seeing the prices of Neil, and buying two Kanayama strops, I was expecting Tony's to be in the $200 range... but they are not.
Tony's most excellent #2 with true linen is cheaper than many lesser quality strops.
Cordovan shell. The Kanayama 3 is an excellent value at a bit over $100. I have the 3 as well as the 60000 and love both. The 60000 will definitely outlast you and the 3 will too if your just stropping your personal razors mostly. The 60K is geared more toward moderate to heavy use, not that it provides any better of an edge.
Scott,
I was wondering about this. I have the 3 and was curious if I were missing out on some essential strop experience. So there's no difference in draw/feel just in thickness?
Yeah I actually think the 3 has the nicer draw because the leather is a bit more limber for lack of a better word at the moment. Just like the description sometimes used, the the 3 is made from younger material.
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- #13
One great member has offered me his vanilla strop at a great price. This will be interesting to use in the interim until I pick something high end.
I'd say cordovan as well but if you're not looking to break the bank a Walkin Horse Horsebutt is pretty hard to beat. It's nice and fast. It doesn't have the attention to detail that Tony or Neil's strops have, but neither does Kanayama, IMHO.
The TM Steerhide to me is like ice. Compared to the Star Big Daddy it replaced-like night/day
- Thread starter
- #16
Well, I got my new Tony Miller plain vanilla strop in the mail today that another member so graciously offered to me at a price I couldn't say no to. Honestly I have no idea if different leather does different things to an edge as I've only ever used a vintage medal of award that says it's scotch shell (it was nos when I got it).
This little strop is slick as oil and feels so smooth and is just a pleasure to strop on!
This little strop is slick as oil and feels so smooth and is just a pleasure to strop on!
Wow, I forgot all about that version. Have not made those for a while.
Tony
Tony
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- #18
Tony not only is it a pleasure to strop on the hardware is top notch. The built in handle is a perfect size for my large hands too. Really wonderful and simple craftsmanship here.
Can you strop on the back of the leather?
Well, maybe. When I make these there is typically a slight crown to them (higher center) to help offset cupping. This flattens easily under the razor when stropping or with an X pattern the razor sort of follows the contours of the crown. But....it leave a concave back (cupped) so a razor would not make full contact on the back side. over time they tend to flatten and may be more usable. I build these for the front to work well at the sacrifice of the back.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #20
Well either way I'm a future customer. If this is your low end product I can't wait to try out a strop on the opposite side of the spectrum.
