Linen Strop

[grafiks]

I have been looking for a genuine linen strop and have not had any luck. My wife is a weaver and I think we are going to get some linen yarn and weave one.
Couple of questions:
Is linen actually better than canvas, felt or denim? I have been trying to do my homework on this and it seems that linen was used a lot back in the day. I know personal taste gets involved but just wondered if there would be a market for a pure linen strop as opposed to the cotton blend that is available. This is a great site and have enjoyed being a lurker for a while.

 

[Fuzzy Chops]

https://thesuperiorshave.com/index....mart_product_id=123&virtuemart_category_id=38

 

[SliceOfLife]

Better than felt for sure. Canvases and linens seem to vary a good bit in feel, but I can't say I've noticed a difference in efficacy.

Denim I haven't tried on a razor, but I expect it'd work as well as canvas.

That said, I think linen has a better feel to it than most canvas/generic cloth strops I've used.

 

[daflorc]

Tony Miller offers genuine linen as a component on his strops. Genuine linen is naturally abrasive, but its very, very fine and subtle. It therefore is a great option for a secondary component. If, however, you want to use CroX or diamond spray, any cloth or felt component will suffice.

 

[Legion]

You might try searching for "Flax Cotton". Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant. The material I made my linen strop from was advertised as flax cotton, and is a flattened tube, 3" wide.

 

[bluesman 7]

I'll bet there would be a market for hemp strops. I think hemp fiber is stronger than cotton fiber and about like linen. I have felt hemp cloth that was very soft like linen.

 

[BDF]

For what it is worth: I have tried cotton, canvas, denim (all cotton of course), felt and linen. The first three I found to be pretty neutral, they did not do anything I could detect. Felt actually dialed back the keenness of the blades I tried with it. Pasted felt worked better but I just could not really warm up to either the result of the actual stopping on the stuff. Linen is the stand- out material for me- it does something useful (in combination with leather) and is a very nice stropping surface. I am talking about real linen, made from flax, not "cotton linen" which is nothing more than at least one miss- applied word. A lot of us tinker around with different ways to hone and stop razors and it seems like that journey may be endless, I have stopped using anything as a pre- stopping material but linen and have no interest in trying anything else.

For whatever reason, 3" wide linen twill woven belt is really hard to find. The only source I know of for it is Walkin' Horse. And yes, I think there is a market for it either sold raw or actually made into a strop; probably both. The one Harold sells looks great, is very reasonable in price but is only 2" wide.

Best of luck if you do try making some.

Brian

I have been looking for a genuine linen strop and have not had any luck. My wife is a weaver and I think we are going to get some linen yarn and weave one.
Couple of questions:
Is linen actually better than canvas, felt or denim? I have been trying to do my homework on this and it seems that linen was used a lot back in the day. I know personal taste gets involved but just wondered if there would be a market for a pure linen strop as opposed to the cotton blend that is available. This is a great site and have enjoyed being a lurker for a while.

 

[Brianskeet]

Real Flax linen is becoming more common. Available now from Walkin horse, TM, Neil Miller, Scrupple works, and I am sure a few others. If you can make it then I say full speed ahead! I would love to see pictures!

 

[BDF]

But not in 3" width. The 3" wide material is really hard to find, I have only found Walkin' Horse carries it. And even they run out of it fairly often.

Must be two old people making the stuff at the rate of a foot a day....

Brian

Real Flax linen is becoming more common. Available now from Walkin horse, TM, Neil Miller, Scrupple works, and I am sure a few others. If you can make it then I say full speed ahead! I would love to see pictures!

 

[Legion]

I wish I could get it in 2.5". That is my ideal strop width.

 

[BDF]

You can get linen in 2 1/2" width. Pretty easy too- look around and lots of supplies have it.

Brian

I wish I could get it in 2.5". That is my ideal strop width.

 

[Brianskeet]

Still love the idea of making your own!