What do you know about leather quality in strops?

[djmike523]

Hi guys:

I pre-ordered a paddle strop from one of the more popular shaving websites... It arrived the other day and to be honest, it wasn't what I had been expecting. Don't get me wrong; the smooth surface was great and the wood quality of the paddle was as well.

My concern lies with the suede side...

Visually speaking, it is not uniform (for the most part; depending on the angle you view it, it may or may not show a small amount of creases -fat wrinkles? -and also the lone, tiny -perhaps 1/4 the size of a penny- 'bare' spot)

While not aesthetically ideal, the true issue is the texture; I know this is the 'rough' side, but even when I close my eyes and run my fingers across the suede, I can feel the slightly raised / imperfect areas. Again, I understand this isn't the final step in the stropping process, but we are talking about fine cutting blades running across slight imperfections. Am I being too much of a stickler (after all, we're talking about a natural and not synthetic surface), or should this piece have been tossed out before making its way onto my paddle?


Any thoughts you might have would be ideal. Thanks!

 

[leighton]

I fail to see the benefit of suede over cotton. Personally I wouldn't worry about it because I would never use it. Maybe someone can enlighten me on the benefits of suede/leather combo over cloth/leather combo.

 

[GsSixgun]

This sounds like a TI or Dovo Paddle... the suede side should still be smooth and uniform albeit a rougher finish... If it is not even, send the strop back...

The rough side is generally designed to hold a type of paste/powder...

 

[SavantStrike]

This sounds like a TI or Dovo Paddle... the suede side should still be smooth and uniform albeit a rougher finish... If it is not even, send the strop back...

The rough side is generally designed to hold a type of paste/powder...

So it's just a different approach to a cloth side then?

I can see that being useful on a paddle, as cloth can fray on paddles according to some of the reports I've read, although I would agree with Leighton about it's use on a hanging strop. I think just going with nice linen or cotton should be all that is required, although I have seen a few vintage strops with suede like rough sides before the strop side.

 

[Hughies_online]

Mate you don't need to post this message in other locations

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=112704

Just post it once and the members will get back to you

 

[GsSixgun]

Sorry, I missed any reference to a hanging strop??????

OK I re-read that and yes I am right there is no reference to a hanging strop from the OP..
I agree with you assertion about putting linen on a paddle would be a bad idea... Actually I haven't ever seen one that I can think of right now in my NyQuil induced stupor :lol

 

[djmike523]

I appreciate the help so far gents...To be more clear; this is a paddle strop ...One side of the wooden paddle has smooth leather, the other side has suede; there is no linen on it...The suede itself is not completely uniform; in most spots on the paddle it is uniform but some areas are visibly different...when running my fingers across the suede, there are two areas that 'snag' because they are a little gnarly / ridged. Perhaps this is 'acceptable' on a suede strop - I am not sure, so that is why I asked here before contacting the seller (I didn't want to have this thread look as though I were speaking ill of his quality products, which is why I didn't mention the product itself until now..I've transacted with the site on several occasions and I've always been pleased save now, where I am at least uncertain on the quality of this product)


I tried my best to take a picture of the areas in question, but the suede is not very photogenic; here is a link to the product itself http://straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36&products_id=994 ... again, I thank you for your assistance lads!

 

[GsSixgun]

That is so easy it ain't even funny, take a pic of yer concerns and contact Lynn & Don... They are both great guys to deal with...
Also I think there is a meet going on in upstate NY very, very soon you might want to check that out they are a ton of fun... Ask Joed or Gugi about it