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Time for a new strop

Robin that was a good article Bruce wrote. For the most part it was right on the money as far as behaviors,cliques etc. I can't really say much about some of the forums he says stay away from since I haven't been on them. Thanks for passing that on:)
 
altshaver said:
Has anyone used an Illinois strop? They seem to be reasonably priced, but I was wondering what others think of them.
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I have, the 827(?) Latigo. Flimsy and cheap handles. The leather does not have draw but drag and pull. I found it uncomfortable to work with. Think of a regular strop with too much neatsfoot oil applied to it. However, if you are on a budget, it should make for a good starter strop (must a very tight budget, though). The linen is also flimsy, but hard. As I said, I did not like it, but that does not mean it is dysfunctional.

When you are ready to sell those HA strops, let me know :)

Regards,
Robin
 
Well if you decide to get rid of a strop or two I would also like to be in the running. I live off of second-hand merchandise. If it weren't for this I could not continue in this hobby.
 
At first blush, this strop looks like it was designed to compete with the Kenrup Filly strop. The hanging hardware looks to be exactly the same as used by Kenrup. This strop is longer than the Filly. Personally, I wouldn't bother with this strop or the Filly. The Filly is a napped strop, and this one looks to be napped as well. I have found that this process is really dirty and required me to spend time cleaning the strop once I received it. Think leather dust that comes off with a swipe of a finger. Also, I have found it is hard to properly balance the strop due to the hanging hardware. Replacing the hanging leather loop with a karabiner hook might help with that issue. The strop is cheaply priced though, so it isn't a huge loss if it isn't to your liking.
 
altshaver said:
At first blush, this strop looks like it was designed to compete with the Kenrup Filly strop. The hanging hardware looks to be exactly the same as used by Kenrup. This strop is longer than the Filly. Personally, I wouldn't bother with this strop or the Filly. The Filly is a napped strop, and this one looks to be napped as well. I have found that this process is really dirty and required me to spend time cleaning the strop once I received it. Think leather dust that comes off with a swipe of a finger. Also, I have found it is hard to properly balance the strop due to the hanging hardware. Replacing the hanging leather loop with a karabiner hook might help with that issue. The strop is cheaply priced though, so it isn't a huge loss if it isn't to your liking.
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Thanks, I do suspect this strop is of the same quality as the Filly... oh well the search continues.
 
I will now note what has happened to my search after I originally posted this thread.
I was caontacted by a few of you regarding strops for sale as well as a few suggestions against some strops. I was weighing the results while simultaneously reading all I could from all fora, blogs and personal websites. While doing this I got in touch with Torolf. He gave me a great price on a vintage strop with his linen. While daily cursing the mailman until it arrived I happened to be talking with Chris who mentioned that he would trade a Tony miller for one of my brushes. I decided that this was beyond an agreeable set of terms, so I set to work on finishing his brush. I then received to vintage strop from Norway and had a go. Wow what a great strop! It was smooth as silk I really loved the way it felt and it was my first descent strop. While truly enjoying this strop for a few shaves I nearly forgot about the Tony Miller (ya, right) I got that package in the mail, but couldn't use it for a couple of days.
I finally got to set the two strops side-by-side (and threw away the filly), I then tested each with a few razors. They are two totally different strops. The TM has qutie a draw where the vintage has little.
I now have two conundrums, The first happened when I got to my wife's work last night: her boss bought me the walking horse strop! Wow didn't expect that! I now have no good way to hang this many strops. Any suggestions would be great. I have paneled walls so no sheet rock or good stud locations. I also want something that will look classier than mug hooks.
My second issue is regarding which strop to use! Although a minor issue I have found that the previous two were so great that I couldn't decide between them, now I have a third to try out.
Well, thanks to everyone who offered advice and to the fine gentleman who helped me to arrive at the dream of having a quality strop.
And to those who read this entire post I apologize for the ample wording.
 
The two screw mountable D ring and plate that some strops come with would be my choice. Invisible Edge strops come with these and I bet they have a picture. If you really need it I will take a photo of mine. Two screws into paneling would hold securely enough unless you put your weight on it. (I don't know your weight, but you don't look like a string bean like others I won't name--Chris) Carabiners come in all sizes and work well with the d ring plate. You could even mount a nice board to the paneling with 3m removable tape that you remove by stretching. It is remarkably strong. Come on, Gerritt, mount them all and leave room for more. Your pal, Denny
 
Thanks Ralphy.

No, I have never been accused of being thin. In fact I could most likely remove that wall by utilizing my body weight.
Oddly I was just looking at the Invisible edge website, for no apparent reason, and I saw those D-rings. I will have to look for those now (oh now another order to McMaster-Carr:D ).
It looks like I will have to break my "no carving" policy and pull out the carving tools for the backing board.
BTW I didn't actually throw away the filly. The wife is using it for practice (I am tired of stropping her razors). I also have a denim strop and a couple of seatbelt strops to hang. for a while there I was making strops out of anything just to see if I could.
 
ooh!
[IMG=200]http://images1.mcmaster.com/Contents/gfx/small/11855a34p1s.png?ver=1974808
with
[IMG=200]http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/116/gfx/small/31665t1p1s.gif[IMG]
 
Sorry, Dennis, I didn't realize that I didn't thank you as well.
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE GREAT DENNY!
Actually it is a great idea. I'm tempted to see if he will sell just the d-ring mount.
I am thinking of turning some pegs for my brushes as well so I can finally hang everything at once rather than it all taking turns; but first I have to finish my homework, then some brushes, then the gavels for the new judges, then...
 
whoo hooo Denny!!!!
jumping0044.gif
 
DJKELLY said:
tat2Ralfy said:
Tada!

Regards
Ralfson (Dr)
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You really are a sod! Taking credit for my post?:scared: What's next? I dread the thought. DENNY
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Sorry Denny, I just didnt think the guys would want to squint from 20 feet away to see your wonderful and most helpful picture

Toodles old bean
Ralfson (Dr)
 
Better, you guys, but still no ring kiss. You just wait! You will all worship me som.......

I am not sure, Gerritt, but Torolf may have the same hardware. It might even be available at the Depot or Lowe's being used for ceiling fan mounts. It would be a piece of cake for someone with your woodworking skills to zap an ogee on a nice piece of maple and mount a bunch of those rings. If the wife doesn't like it, make her kiss Your ring.

Cheers, Denny
 
Well ya know Gerrit, there's a reason for using a strop progression..... a very good reason.... and it has little to do with how good an edge you can get from one strop compared to another...




It's so you can use them ALL!;) Woot!
 
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