Having only used an English Bridle, I've been mentally building a list of things to look for/ask about when it's time to treat myself to a second strop. For me, the degree of twist along the length when taut and rate of build-up on the finish are becoming more important factors. I always thought a fast/light draw might be the best happy medium because you can always slow down if you like, now I'm not so sure. The variety of steel types makes a big difference too.
On the draw of a strop
- Thread starter Alum of Potash
- Start date
I bought a @Tony Miller Horween strop a few weeks ago. The draw is a bit faster than any of my other strops but I now consider it “perfect”. Stropping with it is darn near erotic.
I am one who likes a faster slick strop for light, full hollow razors and slower, heavy draw strops for the old "meat choppers" and other heavy weight razors. Same results no matter what draw I use but a heavy razor just feels more natural when the slower strop sort of puts the brakes on the stropping speed.
I have a selection of vintage shell strops that I have resurfaced and have almost no draw at all. A couple of them have perfect, unmolested reverse sides that I've resurfaced with 1000 grit w/d so they still have a little nap to them. Perfection for heavier grinds. I haven't used a lot of different materials so I really don't know what I'd prefer. Certainly willing to try new things though.
I prefer like draw, especially for heavy draws such as 1/4 hollow or bear wedge. The hollow razors perform just as well. I had a heavy draw logo and wasn’t impressed with it. I am I. The process of acquiring some like hht to medium light strops currently and see how I get on with those…
All this talk of draw and I decided it was time to try a roughout horsehide. I ended up ordering a plain not because I'm cheap (ok, I am cheap) but because of the really cool color variation in the hide. Anybody who's seen my razor pics knows I love imperfect things. Tony said it was the softest of the three pieces he had.
I also keep eyeing the other piece of cowhide I have. It's glassy smooth right now. Maybe I'll do it up and try it that way first before I go to the trouble of soaking it and stuffing it.
I also keep eyeing the other piece of cowhide I have. It's glassy smooth right now. Maybe I'll do it up and try it that way first before I go to the trouble of soaking it and stuffing it.
The plain roughout arrived yesterday. Didn't have time to do much with it until tonight. I swapped out one of the dee rings for a larger one so it can hang on my doorknob. I absolutely love the feel of it, stropped a couple of full hollows and the wedge in the photo. I also am really liking the color banding.
It's not significantly slower on the draw than my cowhide strop but it obviously feels much different. It's also softer and more flexible.
It's not significantly slower on the draw than my cowhide strop but it obviously feels much different. It's also softer and more flexible.
