Thread: Nylon vs. Leather?

Hey all.

I have a two-piece strop. One side is webbed nylon, the other leather. Do I use both every time I strop? Which do i use first?

Thanks in advance for advice! =)

I will use both. on a normal day about 10-20 passes on the webbed, then 30-60 on the leather.

I only use the nylon side after i hone a razor, and i only do 20 laps. Use the leather side before and after every shave.

The most common approach seems to be to strop first on the cloth (could be nylon, linen, canvas, I've even read of denim being used), then on leather. If it's the first shave with a newly honed, shave-ready razor, you could only strop on the leather for 30-50 laps, or not at all. In that situation, I tend to strop, having tried a newly honed razor without stropping and not liking the feel--but to each his own. How many laps to strop is the subject of many discussions in the forum. I started out stropping 50 on the nylon, 100 on the leather, but further reading indicates that the more experienced among us suggest that 60 on the leather is where you get maximum benefit, so I've been stropping 30 on the nylon and 60 on the leather, and the shaves are just as comfortable, and the edge should last longer, provided I don't roll the edge while stropping.

If you haven't done so, you might want to take a read through the Wiki: Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki,
especially the beginner's guide: Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Good luck, and have fun!

Thanks all. The advice was helpful. Especially the Wiki (I hadn't gotten to that one yet).

Remove the leather, but leave her nylons on.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Remove the leather, but leave her nylons on.

I always tell her she can leave her HAT on . . .