Thread: SRD Premium I

I got one of these soon after they came out. It has been seeing pretty regular use since, and I have noticed some subtle things (and I can't find the old thread about this strop) so I thought I'd begin a new review.

For the past 6 months or so, I have been using one razor daily. Sacriledge, I know, but it has enabled me to compare the few strops that I have more reliably.

Before we get into that, a general review:

Material and craftsmanship are first rate, second to none. Period. The leather is thick and beefy. It is very good out of the package, but becomes much more flexible over time. Especially if you follow Lynn's advice of massaging it with the heel of your palm (using your body's oils, no real need to use neatsfoot oil) about 50 strokes before your daily stropping.

Feedback is nice and silky. Especially one it breaks in with your massaging. More feedback than horsehide, much less coarse than latigo. However, for beginners, I would still recommend starting with latigo, until you know what it is you are feeling and hearing while you strop.

As to the comparisons: well, I initially was not too impressed with the nylon webbing. It was not "traditional" I guess. But with use, I was finding that , compared to linen, my edge (using the same leather) was at least as good of the webbing. Many times, slightly better. Not sure exactly why, but this was fairly consistent.

Next, I used the same webbing or linen over time and varied the leather between the Premium, red latigo and horsehide. This particular razor seemed to like the Premium best, followed by horsehide, then latigo.

That being said, the razor I have been using is a square point with a fairly straight edge. For smiling blades, I tend to strop with a rolling motion and prefer a narrower 2 1/2 inch latigo (my trusty TM starter strop - my very first).

Anyway, YMMV. Bottom line is, the Premium I is an outstanding value for money and is a great strop that just gets better with time.

I hear Lynn and Don now have a longer English bridle strop. Hmmm.... :)

Ray is 100% correct about this strop. I've been using it along with the SRD English Bridle. They're great strops. Top quality craftmanship. Not for the novice. I say this beacause you would not want to cut this beauty up....