Thread: can it be done

can you strop a straight razor on a leather belt, like you can a knife blade. Just wondering it came up in a discussion i had yesterday my thought is no but being new at the sport i wanted to ask you veterans without making my answer a definitive one.

thanks ronny

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? Probably not.

You can strop a razor on a lot of different materials, paper, cotton, leather, etc. A leather belt is possible, but highly discouraged. Most belts are too narrow to do a good job as a strop, and they tend to have irregularities and surfaces that are not qualities you want in a strop.

Definitely would not recommend.

Peace,
Jim

I made a strop out of a 2" belt blank that I got at the local saddlery shop and it works fine - just plain, tanned leather.
It took a while to find a nice smooth piece though

My son does, and I KEEP telling him to get a f'n strop, but he refuses to. At least it's better than what he was doing before, stropping on his arm. I guess I should explain, he's a hippy...

If thats all you have use it, I would just make sure its clean

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

My son does, and I KEEP telling him to get a f'n strop, but he refuses to. At least it's better than what he was doing before, stropping on his arm. I guess I should explain, he's a hippy...

...on his arm? He must have had to do like 100 passes!

As long as the belt is made of quality leather, not the shined up dress belt type, it should be okay as a temporary strop. I'd invest in a proper strop for long term use though.

On his arm? boy that would be hard to watch! no wonder you don't worry about him using his regular belt, better then the arm. lol

I know a man who used only a leather belt for 13 years. Sure it can be done. I don't want want to, but...

If it's a belt you wear regularly, make sure there is no dirt or debris on it that could scratch your razor.
There was a member here awhile back that killed her edge by stropping on a belt that had some foreign abrasive matter on it.