Razor Strop: 7 Best Choices (2021)

Strops are an essential tool for straight razor shaving, but…

…many of them are of poor quality. Would you like to know…

…which polishes are used for the finest Dovo or Thiers Issard blades?

Razor strops resemble genuine leather belts. The buckle has no prongs…

…but, at the other end, it has a metal loop hanging on the wall.

Balsa wood, canvas, or denim are some materials used…

…for making razor strops.

Sharpening your straight razor is completed with the use…

…of a strop after the final pass with the finest stone. To get a straight…

…razor’s edge clean and free of burrs after it has been honed…

…you should strop it before every shave.

In this article, we will take a brief look at the process of sharpening razors.

We will then discuss the pros and cons of some of the best razor strops…

…on the market today. We will provide you with detailed…

…buyer’s guide to facilitate your selection of a strop. Lastly…

…we will attempt to answer some of the most important questions…

…related to razor strops.  

A razor strop is a strip of material, usually leather or canvas, used to straighten and sharpen the edge of a straight razor, knife or other cutting tool.

AMANDA LACASSE, AN AUTHOR FROM WISEGEEK.COM

Before we are going deeper, let’s hear from Ralph!

Ralph’s Thoughts…

I was trying to spend as little money as possible and obtain…

…as little equipment as possible when I first started using a straight razor…

…and I got (razor) burned for it. I bought a cheap razor that became…

…blunt after a few weeks, and I couldn’t keep it sharp because I didn’t have…

… a honing stone. However, if you have the necessary tools…

…you can avoid making the same mistakes I did.

It was a complete mess! So I’m hoping to save you from making…

…the same mistakes I did.

I’ve divided this into three categories: absolutely necessary equipment…

…on day one, long-term equipment that you won’t need on day one…

…but will need by day 50, and finally nice-to-have items that will…

…make shaving much easier and more pleasurable.

Check this out!

RoyalShave 3-inch Red Latigo Leather Strop

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A good razor strop is an excellent choice for everyday use.

The product is made by RoyalShave, a renowned manufacturer…

…of straight razors, safety razors, and shaving supplies. Strop is made…

…from high-quality Latigo leather, which is supple and extremely durable.

However, it is much more affordable than, say, horse leather.

X-pattern stropping is not necessary with this strop, as it’s 17 inches long…

…and three inches wide. In addition, its length is perfect for a straight line…

…because you won’t need to go as far. The draw is heavy, which makes…

…it is easy to use.

This strop’s swivel clip and ring at the top, as well as its comfortable leather…

…handles, make it very effective.

However, you may need some time to master the perfect technique.

Our most popular razor strop has a leather side and a canvas side. It is made…

…from ballistic-weave nylon, the same material used in flak jackets during WWII.

A ballistic-weave nylon surface is durable and thick…

…making it an ideal stropping medium. If there is still some burr on the blade…

…apply the paste. As a whole, this is the best razor strop we’ve ever used…

…because of its excellent draw. Made from affordable and durable materials…

…it has a wide stropping surface. Additionally, it is easy to use…

…and requires little time to break-in.

Get this…

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• The material is inexpensive and durable
• Easy to use and affordable
• The draw on this razor strop is excellent
• Sharpening is quick and easy on the 3-inch-wide surface

Cons:

• Over time, cracks may appear on the leather
• It takes some time to get the hang of it
• There is a roughness to the leather

Also this:

Details of Product

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RoyalShave Latigo Leather Straight Razor is the number one…

…choice of today’s man! The leather stropping surface is just over 3″ wide…

…ensuring that you have adequate coverage to fully sharpen…

…your blade as well as for edge-setting. You will also appreciate…

…the stainless steel pivot hook ring makes sharpening easier…

…than ever before because all you need is two hands, elbow grease…

…and a sturdy edge.

Have been using a plastic strop? It may be time to upgrade! Go with something…

…designed specifically for straights razors from Royal Shave.

We’re confident that you will not only get an excellent razor…

…but a 100% appreciation for its quality craftsmanship and style.

Still there?

Jucthen Herold Cowhide Leather Paddle Strop

A second candidate, also made in Germany, is made from Russian…

…cow leather of high quality. The strop is a paddle strop, which means…

…that it has two leather sides (one in suede, and the other in…

…smoother leather for a finer edge finish) mounted on a wooden paddle…

…which acts like its skeleton.

The runner-up is just 1.57 inches wide and seven inches long, which means…

…you will need some really good technique to get the best results.

Paddle strops like this one require little storage space and…

…require very little maintenance.

Keep in mind…

By rubbing the green block against the suede surface…

…of the Jucthen Herold paddled strop before use, you should properly…

…load it up with honing compound. After that, pass the razor along the stropping…

…surface with minimal pressure, and always draw it away from the blade.

Keep the same angle as when you sharpened it.

For a smooth finish, flip the paddled strop after a few strikes on the loaded…

…surface and do the same on the other side.

Based on reviews…

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Designed to last a lifetime
• Value for money is very good
• Sharpens both straight razors and knives

 Cons:

• A smaller stropping surface requires better technique
• The leather on both sides of the paddle may crack if not stored properly

Sounds good?

Details of Product

The Herold Solingen Razor Strop With Clamp HS57J is…

…a brand new original! It’s the perfect way to keep your razor honed…

…and sharp. Made of leather, it can be adjusted to fit most blades…

…up to 2 cm wide with its clamping mechanism on one end. We use this…

…same design for our curtain rods – you won’t believe how good it is until…

…you try it for yourself and find out just how much sharper that razor got!

Next…

Fromm Illinois 2.5″ IRS127 Cowhide Leather Strop

Fromm Illinois, which makes barbershop apparel…

…and tools since 1907, is our third candidate. The bag is made of leather…

…and linen and measures 2.5 inches wide and 23 inches long.

The zinc oxide-impregnated linen surface is where you should begin working…

…while the other side provides a smooth finish with or without a strop balm.

You should never apply balm to canvas strops.

Because of the wider stropping surface, this model has relatively short…

…learning curve. The Fromm Illinois’ strop is the preferred choice of…

…professional barbers for everyday use in their shops. In addition…

…to the lightweight draw, the 2.5-inch spread makes it easier to strop…

…before shaving with the wide 2.5-inch surface.

A straight razor strop that can be used to sharpen straight razors…

…woodcarving tools and hunting knives are best sharpened…

…using the X pattern (see above). Finally, we appreciate this model…

…richly decorated handle, which is very secure.

Here’s the kicker…

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Strops that are truly versatile        
• Its width makes it suitable for both professionals and beginners
• Features a designer clip and swivel
• A 100% American product

Cons:

• The linen is quite stiff for some users
• Handle is too soft and does not provide enough support for the strop
• The large logo reduces the working area

But that’s not all!

Details of Product

The Fromm Razor Strop is a handmade, leather tool that will sharpen…

…and renew edge tools. As it gently curves, the cowhide stretches…

…to reveal a smooth side with excellent protection for…

…sharpening finer blades with both canvas metal abrasive sides.

It holds securely in place without slipping or moving while…

…you work on sharpening your blade edge. The durable material…

…lasts long enough to use countless times before needing replacement…

…so this item makes a perfect decorative piece as well as a useful gift idea.

Finally, an eco-friendly way to make your old disposable razors…

…as solid as a brand new one! Fromm Razor Strop Blade Sharpener…

…is made from top-grain cowhide and protects leather while…

…re-sharpening dull blades. It’s 23 inches long and…

…2.5 wide with a hanging loop for easy storage so you can walk…

…the earth delivering a razor in good condition!

Moreover…

Kanayama Llama #50000 Hanging Razor Strop

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Kanayama #50000 is ranked fourth on our list. By far…

…this is the most expensive straight razor strop…

…on the market today.  Kayama Llama #50000 is handcrafted…

…from the best Cordovan horse leather in Japan.

It measures 2.7 inches wide by 23.6 inches long.

So you’ve got more than enough surface to keep your special blades…

…in excellent condition without any extra effort.

How it’s going?

First, you should work on the surface of the woven canvas.

This will warm up your razor’s blade before you proceed to the leather.

Sharpen your razor at least fifteen times per side for the best results.

A solid metal clamp securely attached to a robust hook makes up…

…a Kanayama Llama #50000 high-quality razor strop. You can use…

…this method to secure your straight razor strop to the wall before…

…you begin working. Kanayama strops are made with precision…

…and care for professional barbers, woodcarvers, and other blade users.

Fun fact!

A unique number is found on the back of each strop, indicating how thick it is.

Among stropping leathers, 2196 stands for the thinnest, while 80000…

…. represents the thickest. A thicker leather is more durable…

…and can withstand hundreds of thousands of strops, but it takes longer…

…to learn how to use it.

Llama’s #50000 razor strops are so expensive because they are…

…handmade by Mr. Kanoyama, one of the few leather strop…

…masters left in the world.

Another thing…

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• The leather is Cordovan horse leather of high quality
• Made by Master Kanayama with meticulous attention to detail
• This strop provides plenty of sharpening surface due to its width and length

Cons:

• Expensive
• It is extremely difficult to find
• Kanoyama razor strops may take several years to arrive

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American Made Mountain Loom Strop

In fifth place on our list, we have another handmade…

…sharpening belt this time crafted in California, USA by…

…a legendary master named Mountain Mike. Surely, its price tag…

…reflects its superior quality.

With a length of 29.5 inches and a width of 5.5 inches, this loom strop…

…is the widest on our list. We are not hanging strops here. Because of its…

…sheer size, it will fit better in your garage than in the bathroom.

 The advantage of all loom strop designs is that the strop lies flat during use…

…so you can use both hands to achieve a more satisfying draw-on…

…the leather side than with a traditional hanging strop.

Straight razor beginners and professional barbers alike can use…

…this handcrafted double-sided strop.

As a result, it eliminates the need for X-pattern stropping…

…which reduces the risk of damaging your razor’s blade due to hand slips.

This razor strop has the surface area of two standard razor strops…

… joined together with a nickel-plated swivel clasp at each end.

To ensure the best edge alignment, one is made of…

…premium black latigo leather and the other is made of tan latigo leather.

On one end of the strop is an eye-hook that can be used to…

…hang it on the wall when not in use. It’s fixed to a special loom…

…with adjustable tension pegs. To achieve consistent pressure, angle…

…and pace, you should sharpen the straight razor from a horizontal position.

Additionally, this loom strop is assembled with nickel-plated screws…

…so you can easily replace the working surface when it becomes worn.

The leather or canvas surface of this bag won’t need to be replaced…

…often during your lifetime if you use it with care.

You will like it!

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Designed to last a lifetime
• The stropping area of two standard razor strops
• For the perfect fit, adjust the tautness of the leather

Cons:

• Retail price is high
• The design is bulky and heavy
• It must be pre-ordered well in advance

Almost there!

Red Deer Traditional Razor Strop

Hunting knives and hiking gear are made by Red Deer…

…a well-known manufacturer. However, it seems more appropriate…

…for a barber’s shop than a hunter’s backpack. Although it’s called deer leather…

…it’s actually cowhide leather.

Design-wise, it is a double-sided, wall-mounted, straight razor strop…

…with a suede side and a fine side. To achieve the best results…

…you will need a decent stropping technique since this is two inches across…

…and twenty inches long. Additionally, this straight razor strop does not…

…come with an eyelet ring but instead has a looped hook for hanging.

Some users have praised this strop’s solid build with very few extras…

…but they wish it was a bit longer. Apply some Woodstock D2902 extra-fine…

…buffing compound to the suede side for smoother gliding.

Red Deer’s traditional razor strop lasts just as long as strops…

…that are several times more expensive when used properly.

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• A solid and simple design
• Sharpens straight razors and hunting knives
• Soft padding makes the handle of the strop comfortable to hold

Cons:

• Over time, the finer side wears out
• The leather isn’t the best
• Users wish this strop had lasted longer

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Lastly…

GBS High Quality Leather Razor Strop

Straight razors and barbershop equipment and accessories…

…have been manufactured by GBS (Gents Barbershop & Spa) for…

…twelve years. The guys at GBS offer a much more innovative design…

…than the traditional two-sided strop. There are actually two…

…sharpening belts on this strop – a finer one and a rougher one – that…

…are clasped together at the top with a swivel clip.

While the rougher suede strap abrades and sharpens the straight razor’s edge…

…the finer leather surface renews and straightens it. A clip is used to hang…

…the strop rather than a hook or eyelet, so it looks rather flimsy.

Therefore, keep the clip from getting too tight lest it breaks.

The paddle-like handles are soft and comfortable in the hand.

It’s important!

Make sure you use a suitable paste on your strop to…

…prevent it from drying out and cracking. Note that the paste…

…included in the package only keeps your strop soft and supple…

…not making it more efficient to sharpen.

In addition that…

Pros And Cons

Pros:

• A great value for the money
• With just a few passes, it effectively removes burrs from razor’s edge
• Suitable for beginners

Cons:

• Some packages smell like cocaine
• while the clip on the hanging package doesn’t appear to be very sturdy

Needless to say…

Details of Product

This premium quality handmade leather razor strop…

…is not only a Godsend for those that are sensitive to the “metal”…

…or metal nick they might get with some less expensive, lower-grade strops.

You can now take care of the edge on your favorite razor without feeling…

…like you’re cheating yourself by spending all day sharpening it.

This Premium Leather Strop provides plenty of work area so…

…you don’t have to worry about sharpening in little circles…

…or having to return and do it more than once.

The material makes this luxury strop feel smooth as butter while…

…providing an aggressive grip and making shaving easier!

To Sum Up

When you buy a straight razor, you may expect it to last…

…approximately five or ten shaves. However, after the tenth shave…

…you’ll notice some tugging on your face, which means it’s time…

…to sharpen your razor.

To sharpen your cut-throat razor, start by getting suitable…

…sharpening stone with coarse and medium grain.

After that, run your razor over a fine, polished stone many times.

Conclusion

This makes it quite popular among both professional barbers…

…and regular wet shavers. If you have any additional questions…

…concerning razor strops, stropping technique, or stropping compounds…

…please contact us or provide your email address to receive…

…the most up-to-date information on this issue!