Might want a new strop for Christmas.

[SilentTuba]

I'm about 9 shaves in with the straight, and I definitely think this is so etching I'm gonna stick with. The razor I acquired in a trade (GD66) came with a Poor Man's Strop from Whipped Dog. I'd like to upgrade to something better, potentially as a Christmas gift. I am considering the Rich Man's Strop from WD, but am open to any suggestions.

I would ultimately like a 2 piece strop (leather and cotton seems most common), and really want something 3" wide. My poor man's strop has gotten a few nicks, and I think with a wider strop I'd be more successful at avoiding them. I'd like for the price to be in the ballpark of the RMS. Don't want to spend much more than that.

Any ideas, or should I just go with the RMS and call it a day?

 

[pmaster]

You could go with a Tony Miller 2 1/2 plain vanilla strop. I haven't tried it but heard only good things about it.
There's the Big Daddy strop which is often recommended also in the same price range. If you get a BD though I'd recommend getting burgundy, I have the latigo and although it works fine, it has too much draw for my taste.

The second component of the Big Daddy was useless for me, and actually dulled my razor when I did too many laps. I repeated the test before I came to that conclusion. However when sprayed with diamond paste and <10 laps, it does add some sharpness (go figure).

I went from Whipped dog 2'' strop to the Big Daddy 3'' and now have a Tony miller 2 1/2'' strop on the way. I found the big daddy too big and long at 3'', and subject to cupping.

 

[ouch]

TM. Any one.

 

[TheLegalRazor]

Once you progress in your stropping to the point where you no longer cut or nick the strop, go for a TM.

 

[Doc226]

TM or a Kanayama.

These are the only two strops I have

 

[Lmarkow]

A Kanayama or a Tony Miller, but please be patient. These are beautiful pieces of leather, so you might want to wait until you're no longer nicking your strop. Wish I did . . . .

 

[SliceOfLife]

Ok, last I looked big daddys used felt.

Felt is garbage. Its ONLY use is for charging with abrasive.

Kanayama #3 is an amazing (but $100) strop. The suede works just as well as linen for me. The only downside I'd say it has is that now I have to worry about nicking up both sides of my strop (never happened, but still a concern). I've seen others say they don't like/use it and needed to buy a linen component, though.

To be frank, I haven't found a strop between $40 and $100 worth recommending over the entry level 2.5", 2 component strops available under $50. I'd either spring for the #3 or find a 2.5" wide HH + Linen for under $50. If you have a selection, pick the one with the thickest slab of HH or the most stropping area.

 

[rockviper]

Star Shaving has a nice big 3" strop (Big Daddy) at a pretty good price. Its second component is felt, but that's not to everyone's liking.

 

[Marco]

Tony Miller, The Master Strop Maker.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

I have the big daddy and really don't like the felt.
It's kinda like an ornament now

 

[Acmemfg]

I have a 3 " Big Daddy which now lives in the closet. It is a decent strop for the price but a Tony Miller it ain't

 

[gonzo4str8rzrs]

I am contemplating the same decisions you are. I think I will go with the big daddy for now and maybe get a cheap linen strop for now, until I am better at stropping, then step up to a TM strop.

 

[Kentos]

I don't how much Tony's strops cost now, but one will last a lifetime assuming you don't slice it in half . I would get a Tony Miller and just strop very carefully.

 

[TheLegalRazor]

TM. Any one.

That.

 

[SilentTuba]

The Tony Miller strops are definitely on my radar. Does anyone have any experience-good or bad-with the Rich Man's Strop from Larry at Whipped Dog?

 

[Lmarkow]

The Tony Miller strops are definitely on my radar. Does anyone have any experience-good or bad-with the Rich Man's Strop from Larry at Whipped Dog?

I have the RM's Strop, along with 2 TMs and a K3. The RM is only used for the strop killers.

 

[KZero]

Another vote for Tony Miller.
I have one Plain Vanilla with linen that I'm using now, and another just like it new in the bag that I'm keeping for backup.

 

[Loner16]

Neil Miller will build you anything you can imagine ... And it will be stunning!

http://www.strop-shop.co.uk/