Not looking for a value strop

[Tony Miller]

Thanks for the info. Next time I am near a leather craftsman I will pop in and discuss the matter with him. Should be interesting.

If he doesn't have decent hardware available, I still have plenty from my previous cut-up strops.

A good veg tanned tooling leather would work as long as the surface it smooth and it is reasonably supple. You can soften it if too hard and if drier that you like a gentle application of Neat's Foot can give you more draw. Veg tanned leather should be able to be found many places but not sure how supply is in the Philipines

 

[RayClem]

First, pick up a $10 strop from Whipped Dog Straight Razors - https://www.whippeddog.com, because until you learn to strop fast & light, you're gonna dig into it & likely ruin it. After that, head to https://heirloomrazorstrop.com/ and drop $100-$200 if you want a very fine strop for less than top dollar, or search for a $300+ Cordovan strop which you can find with a google search

+1

Your first strop should be an inexpensive one. It takes a while to develop the muscle memory to master the stroke and flip action of stropping. You are highly likely to damage your first strop. Once you have the skill to use a strop without damaging it, then get your forever strops . I say strops because there are lots of options and it is fun to have choices.
I have latigo, fast bridle cowhide, kangaroo, horsehide, ChromeExcel horsehide and Cordovan shell strops. They all feel differently in terms of their draw, but any of them will work. When stropping, I often use three different types of fabric and four different types of leather in the same session; not because I have to; but because I can.


I also recommend Tony Miller's Heirloom Razor Strops. If you are on a budget, he offers his plain vanilla and plain chocolate strops that do not have all the amenities of his more expensive strops, but will still serve you well.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Blame my brain. Meant to say Tony above, not Rudy. Got my strop and brush maker's names mixed.

 

[Tony Miller]

Blame my brain. Meant to say Tony above, not Rudy. Got my strop and brush maker's names mixed.

No harm, as fine of a craftsman that Rudy is I see no foul in being confused with him