New cotton and a lovely piece of steer hide in the plain vanilla configuration.
Strop Acquisition Thread
- Thread starter rbscebu
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GeronimoWSB
Multilingual Beer
My nearly 10 year old Fast Bridle with cotton next to my new Russian style with hemp and handles both Tony Millers. . Can't wait to try it. I still have my practice strop as well lol.
Restored an old strop using the wiki, so thanks to @Luc for writing that guide all those years ago.
The linen was far beyond saving, but the leather feels amazing.
The linen was far beyond saving, but the leather feels amazing.
Tony Miller Horsehide
I also made a cover for it this weekend. The flap holding it up needs some improvement but overall I’m happy with it
I also made a cover for it this weekend. The flap holding it up needs some improvement but overall I’m happy with it
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First, I just put in an order with Tony Miller for a 3" Bridle/new cotton strop, plus a 3" cotton only strop. I love that new tight/light/fast cotton he has. He has a doldrums sale going.
Second, I picked up this Moler 328 for the history rack:
I grew up seeing ads for Moler Barber College every time I went into the Loop. This strop is lightly worn, with no nicks, cuts or other significant damage. The grip area has the only noticeable surface wear.
It is substantial, about 3/16" thick down to the grip area where it is a full 1/4". The 'DEEP-CUT' diamond pattern greatly reduces the stiffness. I wouldn't call it extra soft.
I note that the word "RUSSIA" appears as an adjective, but not defining the origin of the "GENUINE IMPORTED LEATHER".
There are still Moler Barber Colleges out there, at least in the Bay Area and North Dakota. Apparently gone from Chicago, where they originated in 1893 according to my internet browsing.
Second, I picked up this Moler 328 for the history rack:
I grew up seeing ads for Moler Barber College every time I went into the Loop. This strop is lightly worn, with no nicks, cuts or other significant damage. The grip area has the only noticeable surface wear.
It is substantial, about 3/16" thick down to the grip area where it is a full 1/4". The 'DEEP-CUT' diamond pattern greatly reduces the stiffness. I wouldn't call it extra soft.
I note that the word "RUSSIA" appears as an adjective, but not defining the origin of the "GENUINE IMPORTED LEATHER".
There are still Moler Barber Colleges out there, at least in the Bay Area and North Dakota. Apparently gone from Chicago, where they originated in 1893 according to my internet browsing.
The term Russia is a Birch bark tanning process, though some were imported from Russia. The special process could take as long as 11 month of tanning. Many “Russia” tanned strop backs were cut in diamond or straight pattern or rib molded, likely for more flexibility of thicker strops.
I have a vintage “Certyfied” Russian tanned and Diamond cut back, about a ¼ inch thick, that I restored and re-hydrated years ago. It is my shop strop that stays well hydrated and sees every razor that comes through my shop.
I often finish strop on the diamond cut side for a great finish on a freshly honed razor.
Nice find
I have a vintage “Certyfied” Russian tanned and Diamond cut back, about a ¼ inch thick, that I restored and re-hydrated years ago. It is my shop strop that stays well hydrated and sees every razor that comes through my shop.
I often finish strop on the diamond cut side for a great finish on a freshly honed razor.
Nice find
Brad, I have noted also that many of the "Russia" / "Russian" tanned strops had the cuts or ribbed corrugations cut or pressed into the skin or grain side rather than the reverse, flesh side. On the Illinois Russian strops they seem to press in the ridges which would create flexibility due to the thin areas but also the compression would increase the hardness or temper of the surface and tame the roughness of the flesh side while staying flexible.
So, on Russian strops where they make a big deal of the imported Russian leather, I always assumed that the main selling point was thick-butted Russian horses. Russia's climate and Darwinian selection creating the thick horse butts, I presume.
I am going to go sort through my vintage strop rack and classify/categorize all the Russkies.
Thickness, backside treatment, flesh v smooth, cordovan-ness, and of course the amount and content of the often-copious advertising copy printed or embossed on the strop. Maybe there is already an appropriate thread to record my results and solicit other's.
I just received this beauty in the mail. It's a Duke City short strop (17" belt) and I'm very impressed at the quality of materials used and the high level of craftsmanship for such a low price.
It's a beautiful dark blue leather and it has a synthetic and a natural cotton belt.
It's a beautiful dark blue leather and it has a synthetic and a natural cotton belt.
My 3" Tony Miller Heirloom Old No.2 bridle leather and new cotton arrived a few days back. I also got a stand alone cotton component, for use with my vintage strops (and probably my Kanayama Llama 30000 too).
I enjoy the bridle leather's draw, a distinctly different sensation from my Tony Miller horse and steer strops. After tonight's use, I predict it will be in heavy rotation for a while.
But the new cotton? It is an unexpected love affair. I love his older linen and his new hemp, but oh you kid!
I'm infatuated with the new cotton draw (zippy!!), which is uniquely smooth and fast among my many fabric components, new and vintage.
Tony Miller 3" Bridle Leather
My new strop from @Tony Miller has just arrived. This strop was purchased as a birthday present to myself, however I just might start using it before that day. I somehow doubt that I will be able to resist the temptation to use it for the next four weeks.
This three inch Artisan European Bridle Leather With two & three quarter inch flax linen strop is a beauty to behold. Also it is somewhat larger than my Invisible Edge Strop.
I am really excited to finally own a @Tony Miller strop and cant wait to use it.
timwcic
"Look what I found"
A trio of strops that have been lying on my workbench way to long. The Illinois and Merit will be wall hangers but the Deep Cut will be put into service. Has the very fast, ice like draw that typically to vintage leather. The linen seconds aren’t to shabby either
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