Razor Strop Blade Sharpener, Top Grain Cowhide, 2.5 x 23 Inch, Brown, IRS127

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE HARDWARE IS NOT THE GREATEST BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BREAK AND IT DOES THE JOB IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE LEATHER IS A REALLY HIGH QUALITY NAPA LEATHER AND NICE AND THICK. THIS IS GREAT FOR ANYONE TO USE AND NOT A BEGGINERS STROP. THERE IS NO SUCH THING.A BEGINNER NEEDS A STROP JUST LIKE THE SEASONED USER. THIS IS A REVISED REVIEW I ALREADY DELETED MY FIRST REVIEW??. A THREE INCH STROP IS EASIER TO USE BUT THEN YOU NEED TO CONSIDER CUPPING. THE WIDER THE STROP THE MORE CHANCE OF CUPPING. SO THIS IS FINE AT 2.5 INCHES. I PURCHASED A BUFFALO BRAND STROP FROM ROYAL SHAVE BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOIULD BE BETTER BECAUSE OF THE PRICE TAG(150.00) THE HARDWARE LOOKED BETTER BUT THE LEATHER WAS TERRIBLE AND IT HAD A DEFECT IN IT. I RETURNED IT BUT THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE. THAT EXPERIENCE ALONE WAS A WAKE UP CALL AND I REALIZED WHAT A BARGAIN THIS STROP REALLY WAS. IF YOUR NEW TO WET SHAVING WITH A STRAIGHT EDGE? YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT A STROP IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN A HONE. HAVING A STROP IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!!! A STONE IS NOT BECAUSE YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND YOUR RAZOR OUT TO GET SHARPENNED EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BUT YOU WILL NEED TO STROP YOUR RAZOR BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY SHAVE. AFTER SHAVING IS JUST A GOOD WAY TO MAKE SURE YOUR EDGE IS DRY BECAUSE THE STROP WILL WICK AWAY ANY MOISTURE IF STILL PRESENT. ALSO USE A PAPER TOWEL TO DRY YOUR BLADE. WHEN YOU STROP YOUR RAZOR THERE IS NO NEED TO BE FAST ABOUT IT. TAKE YOUR TIME AND DO IT RIGHT AND TRY NOT TO CUT YOUR STROP. SEVEN ROUND TRIPS ON THE CANVAS SIDE AND FIFTY ROUND TRIPS ON THE SMOOTH LEATHER SIDE. LIGHT PRESSURE BUT NOT FEATHER WEIGHT PRESSURE. HANG YOUR STROP AT A HEIGHT SOMEWHERE AROUND THE HEIGHT OF YOUR BELLY BUTTON. SPEED WILL DEVELOPE OVER TIME. YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS DOING IT RIGHT. WHEN YOU NICK YOUT STROP ON THE SIDES IF IT IS A PROBLEM JUST SAND IT DOWN WITH SANDPAPER UNTIL IT IS SMOOTH. I HAVE NICKS ON MY STROP AND I DON"T DO ANYTHING TO REMOVE THEM. GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER THIS IS A GREAT STROP REGARDLESS OF YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL. ALSO YOU MAY WANT TO RUB STROP DRESSING ON IT TOO.

I purchased this strop while looking for a second strop to use, in order to allow me to try out some pastes. My original came with the set when I purchased my straight razor. This strop is significantly nicer. It has a rather long usable area compared to my other strop and others I have seen. Unlike some other reviewers stated, the logo on the one I received was not too large and did not interfere with the use of the strop. Strop was shipped by Amazon.com in a long sturdy box, so it was not rolled up or twisted like I was worried about when I ordered it. The leather side is flat and smooth. The canvas side is stiff and flat as well. The handles are comfortable, the hardware is secure. I couldn't ask for more out of a strop, and I definitely wouldn't pay the prices some places ask for 'nicer' strops that I would not consider nice than this one. Lets not forget how BASIC a strop really is. Honestly, if you have a nice heavy leather belt it would work just as well (Ive talked to people who do this actually, with good results). This is just easier due to the handles and hardware. If you are looking here, dont hesitate to buy this one. Price is better than you will find elsewhere and dont be fooled by the price, this is a quality item.

Mine did come with a small indent on the edge of the leather that I was not not happy about but it hasn't hurt my ability to use the strop. From the start it was stiff and had a slick draw as others have mentioned but I don't really mind that as I have found that usually gives me a better edge. It also had been lightly folded at some point creasing it about 1/3 up from the bottom. I did eventually sand the leather a little bit and added neats oil and the strop has remained slick as ever. I have a Dovo extra wide Russian leather strop and this one actually leaves me with a better edge than it does so take that as you will. The linen side is typical and works fine for its purpose, I use it as a cleaning prep before going to leather and use no compound on it. If not for the indent and crease I would have given this 5 stars because for the price it's a good strop that compares to more expensive ones. Again this strop has a slick draw that may or may not be remedied because of the thick slick leather so it may not be for everyone. If you prefer a draw and still wanna try it avoid any conditioners for a while as they will only make it slick again.

Model 127 came in a big box, wrapped well so that it didnt get any cracks. Leather is thick and strong. It has some natural scratches on it those don't seem to alter the sharpening process. Linen side is hard but finely woven. Both strops seem to work as they should and my razors are definitely sharper than cheap Chinese strops could give. I have some finer strips with zero surface imperfections but this strop is ideal for its price. Although I used to pick wider strops, I think 2.5" is a perfect width for a strop. Not so big, not so small. I bought another one, a 827 this time. Results of 127 are finer for me, but both are quite nice strops.

This is the first strop I have ever owned and I am impressed. It will take a sharp knife and make it sharp enough to split atoms, or at least hairs. I usually sharpen knifes up to 6000 grit, almost a mirror polish, and at that point they cut hanging paper with ease, but after stroping they just glide through the paper. As I said this is the first strop I've owned so I have little to compare it to, but it seems very high quality for the price. The handles are on really straight with even stitching around, and the clip at the top is pretty sturdy. The leather is kind of hard and slippery out of the box so I bought some dressing, Fromm Strop Dressing, 4-Ounce Bottle , and it seems to soften the leather a little and grab the edge of the blade better. I would highly recommend this strop, and because of the quality with a little care it should last a lifetime.

This is my third strop and I li ke it. It's just wide enough for a small X stropping pattern on a regular length blade. The leather seems to be the best among the strops I've used previously and the linen side is a welcome change from the course leather and cheaper-feeling materials on the other two. The handle is flat like most, so harder to hold with a bigger hand, but the leather is soft so no hot spots while gripping it and folding the edges a little.

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Me parece de calidad buena, un buen asentador para iniciarse y no cortar otros más caros

Very good strop. It was a little stiff when bought but after conditioning and flexing it some it soften right up. Highly recommend as a starter/intermediate strop.

Excellent value, good quality and nice presentation for gift giving. Very pleased and grandson should love it and have it for a lifetime.