Thread: Holding the strop....

Hey all so I got 2 Tony miller strops for the holidays (didn't realize I had asked mom and dad for different ones, oops , and one is a barbers cut i.e. no handle or D rings to hold and I'm wondering the best way to hold it taut and keep it flat.

Thanks guys!

Nice gifts! Show us some pics. That way we could help you out better.

This might help: Holding a strop

Very simple really. You just grab it at the bottom and pull taught. Just try and apply even pressure across it.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

Nice gifts! Show us some pics. That way we could help you out better.

Here are the photos

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Very simple really. You just grab it at the bottom and pull taught. Just try and apply even pressure across it.

This is where the issue has arisen....every way I have tried to hold it it seems to "u" or "hump" is it better to grab with the pad of the hand?

On my plain cut strops I use four fingers under and the thumb on top, works for me

The way I hold this type is to place it between the thumb and index finger with the index finger on the bottom. Then pull the strop taut and and kind of roll the strop up over the index finger. Not a very good description, I know. Just play with it and you'll figure it out.

The ring is there for a reason and pulling should not cause a hump. Something is wrong there. As far as the one without the ring just even pulling pressure should be fine. If you are having problems check the north side of the stop to make sure where it is attached to the wall or the hardware is affixed properly.

I made a couple quick shots of how to hold a strop. Please pardon the quality and the environment it was shot in

Grabbing the strop, preparing for a proper grip


Here's one of my preferred methods in the making


The finished grip of the strop


And here is an alternative.


After gripping it like illustrated, I twist my arm downwards a bit to really tighten and secure the grip.

Both ways works for me, and enables me to keep the strop taut and even
As always, I'm sure there are dozens of other equally good ways to grip the strop, but this is what I use!

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