First Strop Advice

[DAGW]

Hey Guys,

So I'm brand new to real shaving, have a vintage wosty on the way and need a strop. Now, I've read that most people starting out ruin their first strop, and I'm also moving house so the purse strings aren't exactly loose With that said are any of these strops going to be anything other than cheap tat?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cow-Leath...768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c890a9f58

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leather-C...088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c32fcf5d0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leather-S...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c91c4f912

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-HAND-...859?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a651f4ab

I don't wanna ruin my wosty! Any advice would be great!

 

[HunterBlades]

I would get at least a 24" x 2.5" so you can learn on a full stroke. Also you should get the highest quality leather you can afford. The strop is the last thing a razor touches before it goes to your face. Is that really where you want to save a few bucks?

You can find a nice vintage for under 20-30$. Less if you want just the leather and don't mind it looking beat up. You can get some premium shell or other hide and restore it easily. Just don't get anything with bends or folds. Nicks and scuffs can be sanded.

If you want brand new try whipped dog. Or Tony Miller if they are available.

 

[gary haywood]

Seeing as your in the UK Taylor's 1000, I would contact tony Holmes and get the da cotton leather it's really good for the price. Reason I no this is because I stock them. There brill value, tony has them at a very good price and he,s great to deal with .

gary

 

[Gamma]

Consider the 20 dollar German starter strop from Jarrod at the Superior Shave.
Pretty sweet deal.

 

[cleanshaved]

I got a poor mans strop kit from whipped dog when I started. The cost of International shipping is cheap.

 

[HunterBlades]

Consider the 20 dollar German stater strop from Jarrod at the Superior Shave.
Pretty sweet deal.

Those actually look quite nice. A step up from the poor man strop.

 

[Gamma]

Agreed - he's got a pretty nice strop seleciton goin' on.

 

[DAGW]

On of the members here kindly pointed me in the direction of this website

www.taylors1000.com/direct_sales/sharpening/t1000_st_1/strop_1_page.htm

Being UK based it meant I could get a decent starter strop fairly cheaply at least it looks decent.

 

[Oscroft]

Hey Guys,

So I'm brand new to real shaving, have a vintage wosty on the way and need a strop. Now, I've read that most people starting out ruin their first strop, and I'm also moving house so the purse strings aren't exactly loose

As you're new and this is your first strop, and you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to send you a strop free of charge - I used to make them and sell them but I've retired from that now, but I have leather left and it's a shame for it to go to waste.

So if you fancy a nice big 3" strop, just PM me your address.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[imatabor]

As you're new and this is your first strop, and you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to send you a strop free of charge - I used to make them and sell them but I've retired from that now, but I have leather left and it's a shame for it to go to waste.

So if you fancy a nice big 3" strop, just PM me your address.

Cheers,
Alan

Well played!

 

[DAGW]

As you're new and this is your first strop, and you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to send you a strop free of charge - I used to make them and sell them but I've retired from that now, but I have leather left and it's a shame for it to go to waste.

So if you fancy a nice big 3" strop, just PM me your address.

Cheers,
Alan

Oh My God. Alan, that's tremendously generous! I have bought one but if you're willing to MAKE one for me I'll make sure I save it until I know I'm not going to nick or cut it! I'll PM you right away! Thank you!

 

[Oscroft]

Oh My God. Alan, that's tremendously generous! I have bought one but if you're willing to MAKE one for me I'll make sure I save it until I know I'm not going to nick or cut it! I'll PM you right away! Thank you!

PM received, and the strop will be with you soon!

 

[martym]

That is awesomely awesome!!!

 

[DAGW]

View attachment 573830

This GIF sums it up perfectly

 

[jrjg]

Hey Guys,

So I'm brand new to real shaving, have a vintage wosty on the way and need a strop. Now, I've read that most people starting out ruin their first strop, and I'm also moving house so the purse strings aren't exactly loose With that said are any of these strops going to be anything other than cheap tat?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cow-Leath...768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c890a9f58

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leather-C...088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c32fcf5d0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leather-S...162?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c91c4f912

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-HAND-...859?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a651f4ab

I don't wanna ruin my wosty! Any advice would be great!

Hiya Dagw - I too am a first timer learning the trade of straight razor shaving.
I am yet to achieve a 'shave ready' finish to my razor, it seems to shave my cheeks reasonably well where the whiskers are thinner, however around my chin it just plucks and plucks and plucks! This is down to, I assume, incorrect or inadequate stropping of the blade? However the strop provided is only quite short and I find it awkward to use.
How did you fair with the strop you bought from the website everyone above mentioned? Was it a good size and quality? Has it improved your shaving?
Thanks in advance.

JRJG

 

[jrjg]

As you're new and this is your first strop, and you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to send you a strop free of charge - I used to make them and sell them but I've retired from that now, but I have leather left and it's a shame for it to go to waste.

So if you fancy a nice big 3" strop, just PM me your address.

Cheers,
Alan

Hi Oscroft - would you consider, for a fee of course, making me a strop? If you have enough materials that is? I would be happy to pay you a competitive price

JRJG

 

[BSAGuy]

Kudos to Oscroft. The true spirit of B&B.

As you're new and this is your first strop, and you're just down the road from me, I'd be happy to send you a strop free of charge - I used to make them and sell them but I've retired from that now, but I have leather left and it's a shame for it to go to waste.

So if you fancy a nice big 3" strop, just PM me your address.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[DAGW]

Hiya Dagw - I too am a first timer learning the trade of straight razor shaving.
I am yet to achieve a 'shave ready' finish to my razor, it seems to shave my cheeks reasonably well where the whiskers are thinner, however around my chin it just plucks and plucks and plucks! This is down to, I assume, incorrect or inadequate stropping of the blade? However the strop provided is only quite short and I find it awkward to use.
How did you fair with the strop you bought from the website everyone above mentioned? Was it a good size and quality? Has it improved your shaving?
Thanks in advance.

JRJG

Hi JRJG,
I'm afraid I'm literally brand new to the SR game. Neither my razor nor my strop has arrived yet I'm on tenterhooks waiting for them. So unfortunately I've not been able to give the strop a go yet :/ When I have, I shall report back!

Cheers

 

[jrjg]

Hi JRJG,
I'm afraid I'm literally brand new to the SR game. Neither my razor nor my strop has arrived yet I'm on tenterhooks waiting for them. So unfortunately I've not been able to give the strop a go yet :/ When I have, I shall report back!

Cheers

I see - not a problem, I will have a look at the website recommended to you when I get home. I think a visit to my barbers with my razor and strop is in order, perhaps he can show me a good routine and system/style of stropping. Thanks for your reply, have fun with the razor when it does arrive, be very very careful- Pull that skin tight!

JRJG

 

[DAGW]

As it would happen I've just got home to find the original strop I ordered on my doormat. it's not terribly long, though it isn't tiny either, seems like good quality napped leather, very soft. And seems like it'd work well if pasted. what it does have about a third of the way along it is an ever so faint indentation in it, like a scar. Can anyone shed light on this? I can post a picture if required? thanks