Russian, Horsebutt, or both?

[Monsieur Blaireau]

Gents,

I now have two new strops. I wanted to upgrade from my first strop, a simple cowhide Herold from TSS, to something with some hardware and a linen component. The Herold Russian leather from TSS seemed like a logical choice, but Jerrod was out of stock. So I ordered a Walkin Horse horsebutt from WCS. Then the herolds came back in stock and . . well, you know what happened.

So now I have these two strops in hand, and before I set steel to either of them, I had hoped to choose which to keep. And they do feel different to the hand, but I don't have enough experience to know what that will translate to down the road. The Horsebutt feels like it has a much lighter draw. Other than that, are there appreciable differences between them?

To my continued amazement, SWMBO said, just keep em both and if you wind up not using one, sell it. But we know where that's going . . .

Am I going to wind up with two tools that do the same job, or will edges feel different sharpened on each of these strops?

 

[jpcwon]

I have 3 strops; a Big Daddy English Bridle, an Illinois Russian, and a Tony Miller Premium Steerhide. I like each one for different reasons. The Big daddy has a felt second component which I pasted with diamond spray. The Illinois has kind of a heavy draw, which I like for my wedges, and my TM? Well...what's not to like?!? It's a beautifully put-together strop with a nice, smooth draw...

So I think you'll be OK with 2; my guess is that you'll grow to like both of them for different reasons.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

Thanks for the response. I think I kind of had the answer when I posted the question. Maybe I'm just looking to get my AD validated . . . I mean, as with everything else shave related, I'll probably sort out my own answer to how each one functions; what it does.

 

[shaverjoe]

Thanks for the response. I think I kind of had the answer when I posted the question. Maybe I'm just looking to get my AD validated . . . I mean, as with everything else shave related, I'll probably sort out my own answer to how each one functions; what it does.

Keep em both. You'll find things you like about them both with time.

 

[tomjr]

keep them, when my strop AD kicked in i now have in the neighborhood of 15. my favorite is horse hide but i am liking my buffalo strop i made.

 

[ouch]

When is the answer not both?

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

When is the answer not both?

Now that's the kind of answer I knew I could count on. Thanks, all.

 

[global_dev]

keep them, when my strop AD kicked in i now have in the neighborhood of 15. my favorite is horse hide but i am liking my buffalo strop i made.

All hanging right now?