I just bought a shave ready straight razor and I want to try it so bad but I don't have a strop yet. Can I get by with one or two shaves without stropping and not degrade the edge? I don't have hones either so I want to protect my edge as long as possible. Could I use my leather belt for a strop? I heard you could even use a thick pad of paper like a legal pad is that true?
Do I need a strop?
- Thread starter Nizzyrate
- Start date
Typically shave ready straights come with an initial stropping, so yes the first time should be OK. A smooth leather belt, or the back of a legal pad will work in a pinch. A filly strop from Ken will set you back 20 bucks or if a leather worker is near you they should be able to whip one up. Strop before you shave though.
Absolutely. You may be able to get a few good shaves out of it, but without a strop, the edge will deteriorate quickly.
yep. first one or two will be fine.
You can use newspaper about 10 pages thick on a table, or your belt (if it doesnt have lots of raised bits, or heaps of stitching) until your strop arrives. Its not as good, but it can do the trick in a pinch
You can use newspaper about 10 pages thick on a table, or your belt (if it doesnt have lots of raised bits, or heaps of stitching) until your strop arrives. Its not as good, but it can do the trick in a pinch
Definitely go and get yourself a strop, but in the meantime, your belt or some newspaper will do fine if you need to strop in a pinch.
+1 on newspaper, It worked for me while I waited for my strop, however you'll notice the difference once you properly strop your razor.
newspaper also work on fine knives, such as Japanese chef knives (that was a trick I learned from a fellow chef in Okinawa)
I guess it depends on what the definition of "need" is. I know that I need one even though I could get by without it technically.
- Thread starter
- #9
OK then I'll get one. Next question: is a strop a strop? Can I get a cheap one from ebay or do I need to be more discriminating?
- Thread starter
- #10
Also if I have to use my belt do I use the smoother side or the slightly rougher side?
+1 to the above
Smooth side of the belt.
I will let the more knowledgeable strop-users chip in but I read that a bad strop could in fact be harmful to your razor. I would stay away of the low cheap grade-no-name ebay strops. The $20 strop mentionned up here would probably be great to start with. I never used it myself but, you might be all right.
Smooth side of the belt.
I will let the more knowledgeable strop-users chip in but I read that a bad strop could in fact be harmful to your razor. I would stay away of the low cheap grade-no-name ebay strops. The $20 strop mentionned up here would probably be great to start with. I never used it myself but, you might be all right.
Newspaper is good but even the heel of your hand with an X-stroke.
