What type of strop handle do you prefer, and why?
Strop handles
- Thread starter ouch
- Start date
I'm digging the "no handles" thing. Not sure why. When I made my first strop, I was all worried that I didn't have a handle on it. Then after I bought my vintage bear and shell from Ambrose and that didn't have handles either I found I kinda like it that way. I've always been a huge fan of "less is more", maybe that's why I like 'em that way. I do like the fact that there is no metal anywhere nearby that I could accidently hit ('cuz I surely would). I'd rather chop into a finger than damage my blades!
I'm going with D Ring simply because I hate the no handle strop I have and TM is currently sold out.
All in the interest of preventing hand cramp from holding the strop.
(no handle may be just fine for the young non-cramping crowd, but us older guys need all the help we can get)
All in the interest of preventing hand cramp from holding the strop.
(no handle may be just fine for the young non-cramping crowd, but us older guys need all the help we can get)
I prefer the D rings because they give me a sense of more exacting control both of tautness and angle. However, TM's handles are just fine as well. My no handle Kanayama is not as comfortable to use and eventually distorts that area of the strop that is gripped.
No handles
But if less is more, think of how much more "more" is
Have been using only no grip strops for about two years now.
Second favourite would be D and [] rings or boxes =)
- Thread starter
- #7
I'm also prone to hand cramping, but I think that may just be the strops way of telling me I'm holding it too tight. I think a bigger problem with the no handle design is an increased propensity to cupping near the end.
I voted for D ring on the basis that it's my only experience of strops at the moment.
My first strop started life as one of Tony Miller's beautiful Latigo strops. I bought it second-hand as just the leather element with no hardware. A quick trip to my local hardware store (and a bit of rummaging) and I made up some "rustic" ends with D rings. I was concerned that if I left it plain there was a risk of cupping.
The rings seem to work okay, they're big enough to hook a couple of fingers through and hold the strop taught whilst keeping my hand fairly relaxed.
My first strop started life as one of Tony Miller's beautiful Latigo strops. I bought it second-hand as just the leather element with no hardware. A quick trip to my local hardware store (and a bit of rummaging) and I made up some "rustic" ends with D rings. I was concerned that if I left it plain there was a risk of cupping.
The rings seem to work okay, they're big enough to hook a couple of fingers through and hold the strop taught whilst keeping my hand fairly relaxed.
My simplistic self like the no handle, straight cut ends on a 2 1/2" strop.
From a design standpoint though I do like the look of my handles coupled with the rectangular rings, but again like the slightly narrower 2 1/2" over the 3" as I feel the proportion is more balanced with the handles.
Tony
From a design standpoint though I do like the look of my handles coupled with the rectangular rings, but again like the slightly narrower 2 1/2" over the 3" as I feel the proportion is more balanced with the handles.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #10
Hard to get advice from a better source.
Since Tony chimed in, I feel compelled to embarrass him a bit. About four years ago, I had a friend who was bit down on his luck. I set him up with some shaving items- old but good DE's, and injector or two, and some of the many soaps and creams that have made their way through my home over the years. I even gave him a pretty decent old straight, but I knew he would need a strop to get any use out of it. I contacted Tony, who at the time was selling some entry level "seconds". I figured a cheap but good quality hunk of leather would do the trick, but I was flabbergasted when it arrived- Tony took the liberty of including mounting hardware and threw in a cotton component. I had to try it out, and I'll be damned if it wasn't better than the Illinois and Dovo strops I had at the time. For the life of me, I couldn't see the slightest imperfection that would have rendered it a second.
I recently saw my friend, and he has gotten his life back on track. He also still uses that strop several times a week, and it still looks new.
(It also has fewer nicks than any of mine.)
I'm torn...
I like the looks of leather handles, but find them very uncomfortable to use. (In fact, when I use my leather-handled strops, I don't use the handles.)
D-rings are very comfortable, but I don't like the looks much. (I also don't like the clanging sound they make when I let them go.)
So I'll vote "No Handle".
I like the looks of leather handles, but find them very uncomfortable to use. (In fact, when I use my leather-handled strops, I don't use the handles.)
D-rings are very comfortable, but I don't like the looks much. (I also don't like the clanging sound they make when I let them go.)
So I'll vote "No Handle".
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I have thus far in my short straight shaving career had 4 strops: 2 with D rings, 1 with a leather handle, and one with no handle at all.
I like the D Rings best, and that is also what my first strop had on it. The D rings simply feel more comfortable in my hand.
I like the D Rings best, and that is also what my first strop had on it. The D rings simply feel more comfortable in my hand.
I prefer d-rings. The handles are okay i just don't like having to actually hold onto something vs. hooking my fingers around the d-ring. My first strop was no handles and i hated having to pinch or hold it between my fingers... just didn't feel right and got tiring having to hold it taut.
I like the no D rings because of the clanging and when guests use my bathroom they think it's some kind of S&M toy But mostly because I tend to get a little too close and touch the edge so now at least I cut my finger but my edge has no issues. What I did with my last TM strop I just removed the D ring but left the leather and it gives a nice grip to it and beginning to prefer it that way.
I have never had issues with cramping because I grip the leather between my index and middle finger and it feels natural, like making a fist.
But mostly because I tend to get a little too close and touch the edge so now at least I cut my finger but my edge has no issues. What I did with my last TM strop I just removed the D ring but left the leather and it gives a nice grip to it and beginning to prefer it that way.I have never had issues with cramping because I grip the leather between my index and middle finger and it feels natural, like making a fist.
I have a few of each and I am leaning toward the no handle strops as overall favorite, reason being typically on no handle strops there is more stropping distance and on some with D-rings or handles it is easy to hit either the top of the leather for the handle and or screws on some models if you are using too long a stroke and not being careful enough.
All I've ever tried for hanging strops is one with a leather handle and the handle is quite comfortable to me.
A little off subject but I recently tried my first paddle strop (lynn abrams modular paddle) and I really liked it, but I can't bring myself to permanently switch to it. Something about the hanging strop just feels right.
A little off subject but I recently tried my first paddle strop (lynn abrams modular paddle) and I really liked it, but I can't bring myself to permanently switch to it. Something about the hanging strop just feels right.
No handles. Simple and it works ok.
After a while I found myself ignoring the handles on my TM Latigo.
Now I own a Kanayama, and I love it. No handles just takes some getting used to, but I like the feel of it a lot.
Now I own a Kanayama, and I love it. No handles just takes some getting used to, but I like the feel of it a lot.
I used to keep my TM with one of the components on a Dee ring and the other with a handle, I found it would help me separate each side when I flipped it over.
Recently I found an old thread where Tony mentions he intended the strops to be used grasping both handles (or both Dee rings) together, since both components together would offer some extra rigidity and stability. I have to say this practice has improved my stropping a bit in feel, but surprisingly has me favoring the no handle camp.
Recently I found an old thread where Tony mentions he intended the strops to be used grasping both handles (or both Dee rings) together, since both components together would offer some extra rigidity and stability. I have to say this practice has improved my stropping a bit in feel, but surprisingly has me favoring the no handle camp.
Though i only have d rings, i dont see me buying a no handle strop.
