Thread: mistakes buying a cheap one

maybe that should belong to the beginners section...

What are the mistakes I can make trying to buy my first cheap-o strop?

something like this Green River Leather Cowhide Razor Strop, American Made, 24" x 2" - Knifecenter.com

i know that 2" will force me to use the X pattern. but I can't say anything about leather grain buying online! and everyone here seems to buy online.

What exactly do you compare when shopping?

Look at the offerings at Straight Razor Designs. Great prices and super quality on everything. Can't go wrong. Try to go 2 1/2 to 3" in width...

Yes, you cannot tell anything from buying online, and buying in person you have to have prior experience.
So, in the absence of such, your best bet is to buy something with a track record and leave the experimentation for those who have more experience.

I can tell you that I've seen and tried some of the 'great deal cheap' strops that some vendors target beginners with, and I have not been impressed with the results. Yeah, may be it can improve the edge of the razor a little bit, but it just doesn't get it where a good quality strop gets it, even when new. (BTW I hate new strops because they don't work well, none of the ones I have, even the ones that were good out of the package like the SRD premiums weren't as good as after they got broken in.)

Leather Hanging Strops

The strops here are in the range of that one and have a good reputation. I have the big mama and the 2" beginner and I am completely satisfied with them.

I have a few of Ron's [starshavingsupplies] strops, they are ALL a great buy, while I know I need only one, I couldn't help my self!!!
And yes, it takes some time of hand rubbing and razor stroking before any strop "Feel's" right and developes the right feeling of "Draw" on the razor while stropping.

tinkersd of SRP

Wouldn't a cheap strop make sense for a beginner? In the wiki it even states that a beginner should not get too attached to their first stop because it's likely to have many imperfections due to inexperience. I guess what I'm asking is if there are strops out there that would actually damage a blade.

Originally Posted by gugi

Yes, you cannot tell anything from buying online, and buying in person you have to have prior experience.
So, in the absence of such, your best bet is to buy something with a track record and leave the experimentation for those who have more experience.

I can tell you that I've seen and tried some of the 'great deal cheap' strops that some vendors target beginners with, and I have not been impressed with the results. Yeah, may be it can improve the edge of the razor a little bit, but it just doesn't get it where a good quality strop gets it, even when new. (BTW I hate new strops because they don't work well, none of the ones I have, even the ones that were good out of the package like the SRD premiums weren't as good as after they got broken in.)

better than prior experience is knowing what to look for.

should i favor one with smother leather? better bending? harder? softer?

even if i acquire experience without prior knowledge i may just be more sure of my beginner's mistakes.


and about what you say for "beginners strop", should i just use a piece of denim for the first months then?

Originally Posted by gcb

better than prior experience is knowing what to look for.

should i favor one with smother leather? better bending? harder? softer?

How do you know if any of these things would ensure good strop? I don't think I can tell and I've used between 50 and 70 different strops.

As I said the best is to just buy a strop from a company that knows how to make razor strops and has long track record. Like Illinois, or SRD.

Originally Posted by gcb

and about what you say for "beginners strop", should i just use a piece of denim for the first months then?

If you are really strapped on cash you can do that, and not only for the first months but forever. But just a piece of denim won't get you a very good edge. You need quality leather strop for that. The fabric part is in addition to the leather, some people use just leather, but I prefer to use both and prolong the time between honing.

If you really want to buy a 2" strop you can find one at SRD or another quality vendor without it costing you an arm and a leg.
I would rather buy quality the first time, that wasting money buying a strop that will end up in the garbage when you have learned how to use a strop.
If you nick the leather on a quality strop it can usually be repaired or replaced anyway.