Thread: Jeans make good strops

I found that if you need a strop and you can't find your expensive strop, just grab an old pair of jeans. I found that using a soft wood like balsa(this can also be used as a strop) and stretching jeans over it, and then you go to work on the razor.

I've been using my own homemade denim strop since the beginning. I used the instructions in the wiki. Its works great as a cloth component.

As long as we are in DIY mode, I've read several times that a #2 lead pencil is a good abrasive, and can be added to denim somewhat like chromium oxide is used. (Of course, buy chromium oxide. But, that isn't DIY is it?)

Try some soft chalk on your denim. Lead pencil would be good for paper or cardboard.
DIY has no limits.......

i don't think you can get a lead pencile anymore, but i think i know were i can get some

folks dont actually mean lead.
in addition to the graaphite in the pencil i believe there is very fine fired clay particles. the ammount of clay affects how hard the pencil lead is to my understanding.

I read that the best linen side of the strops were made of hemp. I have an old tool roll up pouch(large) from ww2 era that Im pretty sure is hemp. I think I will do a diy 2 sided paddle strop for a lil project. If it dont work I can always smoke it. I like the denim and pencil idea 2.

That's a great idea!

My linen strop is just a folded loop of linen/cotton blend.

Personally I believe that cotton or denim is much better for the edge than the coarse cotton webbing that is being used as the fabric component on a lot of commercial strops these days. You spend a fortune on the finest stones and leather money can buy and then run your blade over the fabric equivalent of a cheese grater. It's ridiculous.

Is it necessary to use a cloth/ linnen strop in addition to the leather one?