I was just on another thread on another forum and this subject came up so I really want to see what my Bladeforum Brethren have to say about it. The subject matter of the thread had a lot to do with "stropping" and how to do it better.
I've been thinking for a long time now that Leather can't be the only good stropping material. Now I do own a couple of leather strops that I like but I also have one that I got from a Barber Supply company that is made of "Russian Boar" hide that really does a great job. Actually I think it does a bit better than bovine leather IMO.
I've heard about other materials like balsa wood. various other animal hides, all types of synthetic materials and even some types of cordage I've heard make for good strops.
So let's talk about what makes a good stropping material?
I've been thinking for a long time now that Leather can't be the only good stropping material. Now I do own a couple of leather strops that I like but I also have one that I got from a Barber Supply company that is made of "Russian Boar" hide that really does a great job. Actually I think it does a bit better than bovine leather IMO.
I've heard about other materials like balsa wood. various other animal hides, all types of synthetic materials and even some types of cordage I've heard make for good strops.
So let's talk about what makes a good stropping material?