Thread: Looking for an entry level strop

Hello, Tim,
The texture of the No. 827 is similar to felt. The No. 127 is smooth leather. Both are good strops, and worth the money, but I prefer the No. 127 for no other reason than the smooth leather.

Incidentally, both strops have the hard linen and stiff leather. With daily hand rubbing (before you shower) the leather becomes supple and with good draw. I no longer have my No. 827, but the No. 127 is a keeper.

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Tim,
The texture of the No. 827 is similar to felt. The No. 127 is smooth leather. Both are good strops, and worth the money, but I prefer the No. 127 for no other reason than the smooth leather.

Incidentally, both strops have the hard linen and stiff leather. With daily hand rubbing (before you shower) the leather becomes supple and with good draw. I no longer have my No. 827, but the No. 127 is a keeper.

Tim, this is where you learn the term YMMV much of our hobby here is personal opinion, is isn't right or wrong, or good or bad, it is just how it feels in your hands
My opinion is the exact opposite of my good friend Obie I like the #827 better, because of the feel of of the draw of the Russian finish, or the Nap of the leather, rather than than the smooth side of the #127...

Either strop will serve you fine and that is really all that matters ain't it great that we still have these choices...

I have an Illinois 206 -- narrower and shorter than the 827. It works fine.

This isn't rocket science. You need a piece of reasonably supple leather with a hook and a handle, preferably with a cloth strop included. With that -- no matter what color, what surface finish, what width, what length -- you can keep a razor sharp.

"Personal preference" is important, but you won't know your own preferences until you've tried out a bunch of strops over weeks of use. So pick one, buy it, and learn to use it.

Charles (Richmond, BC)

Hi Glen,

I am already aware of the YMMV term, and have lived it during my conversion to a DE. My regular DE is a Merkur 38C, a long, heavy razor, which i prefer. And then there was the blade selection, what works, what doesn't.

My questions aren't necessarily to find out what's best ( because i'm aware that alot of it is preference). Its more about finding what makes a good one, what the differences were, and what to avoid. Since straight razor are new to me, as well as stropping/honing razors. I sharpen and hone my own knives, so i understand the principles behind it, but the materials were always "tougher" since the knives weren't A) coming anywhere near my face, B) anywhere near as delicate as a straight razor is.

thanks again. From the advice, and comments, i think i'll be ordering the 827 ( as i think i'll prefer the drag to the extra smooth ),

I have the 827, and for a long time it was my only strop. I still have it and use it.

+ 1 on the Filly from RupRazor.