Thread: 2" vs. 3" strop

So I have a 2" cheap strop (I got so I wouldn't F up my nicer one while learning) and 3" nice strop for when I got better at stropping. I'm finding that I actually like stropping on the 2" more than the 3". I can get a better X pattern, I can go faster and I feel like its easier to control the blade.

Anyone else find they like 2" strops more that 3" strops? Or will I eventually like my 3" more when I get more experience?

It can be easier to use a wider strop cause the entire blade fits on the strop so you don't need to do other than straight up and down. Personally, though I have both I prefer the narrower strop. It's the classic way and it forces you to x strop which I think is better for the razor.

I too am a fan of 2" strops. For me, stropping just seems more natural with the narrower strop.

Gentlemen,
I prefer the 2 1/2" strop to all the rest. Since, however, we have to make a choice here between a 2" and a 3" strop, I would grab the 2" strop. Using the X-pattern stropping is part of the colorful ritual in straight razor shaving. So CheeseMan, my gentleman friend, I suggest going with the 2" strop and X-pattern away into a state of nirvana.

For over 30 years I only used a 2 1/2 inch strop and thought it was the only way to go. After a couple years of persuasion I tried a 3 inch strop and fought liking it it a lot. After a couple weeks of using the 3 inch though, I was hooked and now rarely use anything else. With most razors being right around 3 inches in length, I have found it very comfortable stropping on the wider strop. I use sort of a windshield wiper motion when stropping so I am getting a little X pattern in there. My stropping results haven't been hurt one bit going to the 3 inch strop. This is one of those things however, that there is so much personal preference involved that you simply have to go with what you like best. A lot on the order of what draw do you like the best. The good thing about this sport is that what has been finding the bestest for me over the years has been finding another bestest until I find another bestest. I have too many bestest strops for sure if that is really possible.

Have fun.

I don't really have a preference - I guess you learn to use what you have and get the best out of it. I have a 3" Roo strop which I use a lot, but I also have a 1.5" retractable strop I keep downstairs with the hones that I also find very good to use. As pretty much everyone has said, it does boil down to personal preference and what with the availability of so many good strop makers (or even just good leather to make your own with) you really do have lots of choices available to you in this regard.

James.

I have a 2" and a few 3" and I prefer the 3", so far. I am curious to try a 2 1/2" strop, as it might be a happy medium, but that will be further down the road when I choose to indulge my StAD once more.

I was so overwhelmed by the challenges of the shaving, honing, and stropping when I started that I opted for the easy way out on the stopping and went with the 3". I've never tried anything else.

I'm still a poor stropper, even without having to criss cross. The idea of holding the tang (or shank) with two fingers alone and flipping back and forth without bending my wrist and going fast enough to extract a benefit, man I still haven't gotten it very well. I can do a good job and do it faster and get the "zing" sound but the wrist moves. Occasionally I get out of rhythm and put a nick in it. I have never cut through the leather though. That's why I'm still using the beat up strop I started with. I have a new one but nothing would gripe me more than to mark that baby up. I'm still in training as far as I'm concerned.

It's kind of like honing. I can do a better job on some razors than others.

Straight shaving is one of those carrot and stick hobbies, always something new to improve on.

I have a 3" and a 2" but prefer the 2"

I used a 2 inch for a very long time and got hooked on the 3 inch after I tried it. This too is very subjective, do you.