Apply a thin layer of PVA glue to one side of the leather and let it dry completely. As far as your razor tugging if the stropping does not bring the edge back it could possibly need a touchup on say a pasted strop or may even need to be rehoned, only being two months old seems to be a pretty short time to need to see the stones again but it all depends on your beard, technique on shaving and technique on stropping. A burr, unless you have specialized equipment and an anal streak in you, will never fully be removed. It will help woodcarvers to sharpen their wood carving tools in a simple manner. It also didn't have a cloth side. This will help ensure that the stropping action is even when you use it later on down the road. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Once the glue is dry, apply a thin layer of abrasive paste to one side of the leather (optional). Traditionally, shell cordovan strops made from a membrane just under the horse's hide on the rump area have been considered the "best" strops. First, you will need to gather some supplies. Pros IMHO a Kanayama strop like the #70000, is a pleasure to use, and gives my razors a head start in the bathroom. Strops are usually made from either leather or suede. I go to AOS store and they have one for like $85, then I look around on the interweb and find them for every price you can imagine. So on the advice provided on my previous thread (here) I bought myself a King 1k/6k - it arrives tomorrow and I hope it's not damaged! very slightly enlarge the outboard holes so the centerline holes carry more of the tension. Most leather, unless it's very hard or very thin on a hard backing, will tend to form itself around the edge of the blade drawn across it, which is more likely to round off or dull the edge. Cut the belt into a strip that is about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long. Can you use natural beeswax as a charging compound? Once you have cut the belt, punch two holes near one end and thread a piece of string through them so that you can hang the strop up when youre not using it. Use waxed thread to stitch around the perimeter of the leather, making sure to go through both layers (the glued layer and the abrasive paste layer). I started with a cheap strop as a starter. For more information, please see our Table of Contentsshow 1RED DEER Straight Razor Strop 2GBS High-Quality Leather Strop 3Parker's Handmade Latigo Leather Straight Razor Strop 4BARBER STROP Straight Razor Sharpener 5Fromm Illinois Razor Strop 6Choosing The Best Razor Strop I have compared the difference with a 100x microscope and was quite surprised as to how much smoother it is after stropping. Tip #6 - don't rush the process. 3) I see strops made from cowhide, horse hide, kangaroo, buffalo. One side is too smooth but one is a little rougher but not like suede. Be sure to clean it regularly with soap and water (or leather conditioner if its made from leather) and store it in a dry place when not in use. Strop is to give the final polish/clean touch matter of fact, off the stone the razor usually. This is what not to do. I might get the DC4 at a later date. One way to make a homemade strop is to use an old belt. You can use it with various metals like stainless steel, brass, cast-iron, copper, wood, and much more. The best leather for a strop is a good quality vegetable-tanned leather as any other type of leather will require various forms of compounds. The width should be about 2 inches. Use the square and knife to establish the first knifewall 1 from one end and then make a second one 3/16 from that one, so 1 3/16 from the same end. I have a 3mm thick piece of horse butt leather which is too thick to stretch on the wood base. Paul suggested: Good note double sided wood leather strop makes a good phone stand. Why? Mostly personal preference IMO, but I like Boar, Horsehide, and Roo, in that order. Balsa is firmer than leather, and compounds can embed very well into it. a Well set bevel that is polished should only required clean leather stropping for a couple (10-50) of shave before refreshing YMMV. In this post, well show you how to make your own strop for swivel knife sharpening. If you could have the travel-strop of your dreams what would it look like and why? 1. You can buy a strop ready-made, but they can be expensive. 2.5 - 3inch wide is my preference and should be long. Some more for some razors, others more for other razors. It should also be long enough so that you can stroke the blade in both directions without having to move your hand too much. A strop is a flexible strip of leather or cloth used for sharpening razors, knives, and other tools. Cut the leather into strips using the sharp knife. I like each of them. Glue a strip of 800-1500 grit wet-n-dry sandpaper to the other side for a hone. 1) What are you looking for if you are looking for a good quality strop? Size Choose a strop that is long enough to comfortably hold your razor while you stroke it back and forth. what is a good beginners strop, and why? Yet it's mostly dependent on how you use the strop, to begin with. Just make sure its smooth and not too abrasive. I paid $16 and got it off of Amazon. I will add a tad bit of oil to my strop, the same honing oil I use on my sharpening stone. The majority of leather strops are smaller, but I prefer having leather sharpening strops of different sizes. I like 2" and narrower strops, Chromexcel cowhide and minimal hardware. The best leather for a strop is a good quality vegetable-tanned leather as any other type of leather will require various forms of compounds. You can either do this by hand or with the help of a Teflon sheet or sandpaper. Henlo my dudes. Abrasive paste (optional) A razor strop is a handy tool that can help you keep your razors sharp. Thank you for the comprehensive reply Slash. Although the price of the leather may be an indication of the maker's craftsmanship and/or the quality of the leather, it's not going to tell me anything about how the leather will treat my razor. 4. I have heard some sing praises for Kanoyama. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cowhide, vegetable tanned? Tip #5 - have a quality leather strop at hand. 20 laps on a clean leather strop. Once submitted, any posts, images, or content become the property of Badger & Blade. What makes a strop good is your daily maintenance before stropping, palm and forearm rubbing and keeping the strop clean. What makes a good strop? Is it okay to glue it on the wood base and clamp it or is this considered too thick to use well? To remove this burr strop your knife on leather to make it shaving sharp. JavaScript is disabled. A good rule of thumb is to make it about twice as long as your blade. If you want a smaller strop, you can always cut the strip in half. Although a straight razor is made of hardened steel, the edge is flexible and malleable. 1. Just stick with well known makers and focus on the dimensions, hardware and draw you like. Draw can make stropping feel right on, or awkward. Swiping your sceen with any residue of compounds on your fingers and goodbye screen. You can use any type of abrasive paste, but we prefer diamond paste for optimal results. However you could add abrasive particulate, if you can find it, to the beeswax if your concern was wanting to work with a completely natural product. In most cases stropping is a crutch to make up for poor technique on stones. Right. Construction Look for a well-made strop with even stitching and no rough edges. Apply plywood pieces to the leather and press firmly. #6. A strop is a flexible strip of leather or canvas used for sharpening tools like knives and razors. Double sided strop is practical? Apr 10, 2015. These materials provide a smooth surface that helps to keep your razor sharp. What you should be really concentrating on is getting a good edge straight from your stones. I use old methodology too, Arkansas stones with oil and a non pasted shell strop. 3. If you are talking about 0.1 micron diamond, then 50 laps is unlikely to be excessive. Press down firmly to ensure the leather is stuck to the wood. BeaverCraft Best Leather Strop. If you own a knife, its important to know how to properly care for it. A stone strop is simply a piece of leather or canvas that has been impregnated with abrasive particles. A good razor strop is essential for keeping your straight razor in top condition. Finally, you will need to use the razor strop by running your razor up and down it several times before each shave. What it does, instead, is realigning its edge as a means of bringing back its cutting acuity. Just let the strop do the work for you and be patient itll take some time to get a really nice edge. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The best part of the strop leather is the material: It is very durable. Heres how to use a razor strop on a knife: A strop is a versatile tool that can be used to sharpen a variety of knives, including a swivel knife. This can be done by gluing it, taping it, or simply tying it with string or twine. By accessing Badger & Blade, you agree to abide by the Terms of Usage. It consists of two strips of leather, one attached to a handle and the other to a hook or loop. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When the smith is "into" the motion it is similar to a continuous figure-8 movement. It is important to have a good strop in order to keep your blades in good condition and prevent them from becoming dull. 2) Why are some strops ridiculously more expensive than others? PVA glue Although relatively new to stropping, I've tried a couple different ones and wasn't happy until I got a shell strop. That's what makes it quick. You can use any processed leather. The questions are; What would be the perfect dimension for a strop - 2.5 x 12 inch? If you want, you can also add a second layer of fabric to one side of the belt before cutting it so that the strop will be more cushioned. Belo. 3. Dont do these on an expensive horsehide or any other strop and it will deteriorate over time. A strop is a flexible strip of leather or canvas used for sharpening tools like knives and razors. BeaverCraft Strops For Knife - Best Overall Check On Amazon This strop is made using vegetable-tanned leather. You are actually refining the burr. The material used for a strop must be able to absorb the abrasive particles that are generated during sharpening. 50 laps on diamond after every shave is a overkill. What's the pro's and cons? Banjo Kazooie How to Get to Click Clock Wood, A razor strop is a tool used to straighten and sharpen razors, It consists of a strip of leather or canvas, attached to a handle, The leather is rubbed with abrasive compound, such as diamond dust, to raise a fine edge on the razor, 1) Cut a strip of leather or canvas, about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long, 2) Attach one end of the strip to a handle, using nails, staples, or glue, 3) Rub the other end of the strip with abrasive compound, 4) Hold the razor against the strip and draw it towards you, using light pressure. What type of leather to choose. The Kanayama strops are shell cordovan. and our Meanwhile the "frogs" will usually work just fine for you. Youll need the following materials: Could this be because of the strop? A razor strop is a tool used to keep razors sharp. Any old handbag from a charity shop will do as will a worn out leather cushion. You can find our Privacy Policy here. Heres how: 1. Stropping a blade on a clean (without abrasive) substrate achieves FOUR results: 1) REALIGNING THE EDGE. If made from lower quality hides, it still makes a very good strop, just not a really 'great' strop. Heres a quick guide on how to make a leather strop. Draw IMHO only directly affects the user, not the razor. -A Teflon sheet or something similar (optional) You can use the same type of leather for the strops. Common Woodworking is a Rokesmith Ltd website. What makes them special? The only time I nicked a strop, because of clumsiness and lack of muscle memory, was I think within the first two weeks. A strop is a flexible strip of leather, cloth, or paper used to sharpen razors and other cutting tools. 50 laps on a clean leather strop. Attach to the end of the strop piece using PVA glue and screws. You can buy a strop ready-made, but they can be expensive. I didn't really understand the preference part of it until I had tried a couple different strops. The same exact motion is used on the leather side of the strop stick. Coming off a King 6k the only thing you should need to strop on is newsprint. Hello Gents, Im very new to this new addiction I have started, however I am at a loss as to what makes a good strop. Avoid synthetic materials like polyester, which will clog up your razor. This includes using a razor strop to keep the blade sharp. What makes a good strop? Some models may incorporate synthetic materials into the mix. Too many questions and what to do about cut/nicked strop. Your new leather strop is now ready for use! The main reason why vegetable tanned leather is great for a strop is that it has the presence of natural silicate which is absent in chemical or oil-tanned leather. It's important to have a good strop in order to keep your blades in top condition. Pre-drill the stop block with 3/16 holes 3/4 in from the ends and countersink. The extra firmness helps minimize rounding the edge, if pressure is a little heavier. Cut the fabric into a strip that is about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long. Waxed thread New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Your Windrose strop is it sewn, or held together with chicago screws? When produced from good quality hides by a reputable maker, this hide makes the very best razor stop. Veg-Cowhide for sure, The dimensions are really dependant on the size of the tools you are stroping. Cut the belt to the desired length. Prices can vary wildly, from about $50, all the way up to north of $500. If you don't already have one, I recommended this one above. Pick up a Tony Miller. 3. The best leather for a strop is a good quality vegetable-tanned leather as any other type of leather will require various forms of compounds. What's up y'all? I sharpen up to 5000grit oil stone , then strop. Picking a good strop is not really tough it depends alot on what you want, some pick a strop based on width some on the type of draw it has. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Once you have your strips cut, its time to start shaping them into strops. Which compounds work well for VG-10, D2 and 14C28N? When using a stone strop, its important to remember to use light pressure. And finally, make sure the surface of the strop is smooth any bumps or ridges will make sharpening more difficult. The main reason why vegetable tanned leather is great for a strop is that it has the presence of natural silicate which is absent in chemical or oil-tanned leather. The other day I contacted Press J to jump to the feed. 100 laps on a clean leather strop. Cut the leather into a rectangle that is slightly longer than the blade of your swivel knife. However, I can make a perfectly functional strop for literally pennies with some scrap leather and a $3 stick of sharpening compound. 4. Need to contact the B&B Team? So I'm gonna get right to it. If youre going the hand route, simply roll the strip up tightly until it resembles a rope. JavaScript is disabled. So far, I've been using my leather belt, pulled taught on a door handle, using the soft side to finish off the blades I've sharpened on my sharpmaker. Are your current stropping skills suitable? 2. In this post, we will show you how to make a razor strop from scratch. Privacy Policy. -Sandpaper (optional) Avoid strops made from synthetic materials, as they can damage your blade. -A sharp knife A cheaper option is to make one yourself from an old belt. The real difference is using the tool after stropping. If they are not exactly the same size, thats okay you can trim them down to match later on. And thats it! First, you will need two strips of leather that are roughly the same size. You are using an out of date browser. Once the adhesive is dry, you will need to attach the strip to a piece of wood or another hard surface so that it can hang freely. This will help to keep the abrasive paste in place later on. Using the same process to make Cordovan cowhide results in a good strop too. Genuine leather belts are useful in survival situations, but if you just want to take good care of your kitchen knives, you should use a good strop. To me the draw on a strop has no affect on how well it maintains an edge, and they range from oil tanned horsehide to cordovan and, the same razor on all of them and they all shave the same so for me draw comes down to your personal preference and that brings up the next choice and that is width and that also is a personal preference, some like a 3" wide and some like 2"-2.5", for me I lean towards a 2.5" medium draw as I have a, X stroke so it's not an issue to cover the entire edge but be mindful that using a narrow, you will have to either do a slight X stroke or do some laps and then move the blade and do some more, not difficult to do just different but on a 3" one you just. When selecting a strop, its important to choose one that is wide enough to accommodate the blade youre sharpening. However, I dont apply compound for obvious reasons! If youre a fan of sharpening your own knives, then youve probably heard of a stone strop. You must log in or register to reply here. This usually comes in 2 inch width, which is a good size. Please share your wisdom with me as I'm a newbie to this. refinement. This will help to keep everything in place during use. Some experts will advise beginners to use cowhide. Because this kind of leather provides a nice draw and they work quite well. If you could have the travel-strop of your dreams what would it look like and why? Thank you for getting touch, Paul says: 1,160. This leather knife sharpener by BeaverCraft is about 14.5 inches long. That strop could have been rat skin for all I know. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 1. Choose a belt thats made of natural materials like leather or cotton canvas. Make your strop from a strip of leather belt (10-inches long) glued to a bit of yardstick or lath material. BeaverCraft honing strop is manufactured after a long time of testing and cut-and-test method and that is why we are sure that you'll be pleased to work with our sharpening strop. Start by covering the top face your wood with double sided tape to hold the leather, make sure nothing gets caught underneath the tape as you want to keep this as flat as possible. If the leather is clean and as wide as you prefer, it's "good." I sharpen, or rather touch up my Japanese knives once a week because I go through copious amounts of prep as an apprentice. Once submitted, any posts, images, or content become the property of Badger & Blade. CLICK HERE. Keep the strap natural. Will the results be different from a cheap one as opposed to a more expensive one? The strop that you have is probably just fine. You must log in or register to reply here. 200 laps on a clean leather strop. Another option for making a homemade strop is to use an old T-shirt or other piece of fabric. Steps are simple: Cut base plywood pieces to size and plane edges Apply contact cement to sheet of leather or individual leather pieces cut slightly over size and apply adhesive to plywood pieces. I remember the first time I had used a stropWow what a difference it made! Need to contact the B&B Team? Again, you can add a second layer of fabric if you want more cushioning on your strop. So. Its important to have a good strop in order to keep your blades in top condition. Knife oil (optional) Well, people can please themselves. Avoid the obvious junk, and look for something long enough and wide enough to suit you. Wish you all healthy days. A razor strop refers to a flexible strip of soft material, often in canvas, leather, balsa wood, and denim fabric, which is used in straightening and polishing a straight razor's blade. If youve never used a leather strop before, you might be wondering how to go about it. A strop that is too short will be difficult to use and could end up damaging your razor. It works without removing any blade material. The function of a strop is to polish the edge and work off any burr left behind by sharpening stones. That would be good to know too! Diamond strops are the more expensive option, but theyre also the more effective option. Since you have been using beginner strops for a year, your stropping skills might be adequate. Then, you will need to apply the adhesive to one side of the strip and let it dry. So, I want to make more strop and I now face a problem: I don't know wich leather is good and wich is bad to make strop. I don't know how to answer them in any definitive way. I will also use red rouge on it tool You should oil it often. Get a 2 inch wide piece of wood - 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood is good, 10 -12 inches long. You can find our Privacy Policy here. Leather is used as it is the only material tough enough to hold the buffing compound (chromium oxide suspended in a wax block). You will need a piece of leather, some sandpaper, and some adhesive. You can do this by sanding it with coarse-grit sandpaper or by using a wire brush. What makes a good Strop. I cant tell the difference when using an expensive horsehide strop over a cheapish cowhide strop. Cover the leather surface of the strop with the buffing compound, this action is called 'charging'. This will help ensure that your razor glides smoothly over the surface without catching on anything and becoming damaged. Like, what's the difference? Next, you will need to sand down one side of the leather strip until it is smooth. If you dont have a strop, you can use a piece of leather or denim. I rup compund on my strop not my fingers Sharping knives with your fingers with green compound Also what not to do. You dont want to press too hard or you could damage your knife blade. As-honed on 3-micron lapping film. Can we use some kind of fake leather to make a strop? That particular strop just made it all come together for me. It's equally important as your finishing hone. No, it has no abrasive. Anyway, to complete my basic setup, I'd like to get a strop. You are using an out of date browser. Fast draw, sticky draw, all seems to give similar results to the razor. Today's strops are made of cowhide, horsehide, bison and even synthetic leather. Once you have all of your supplies, you will need to cut the leather into a strip that is about three inches wide and 18 inches long. Now that we have a general idea of the . I hear the nay sayers, 'all strops do the same job'. A strop is a surface that is used after the finest stone for the final stage of sharpening. Cookie Notice Stropman strops are great if you insist on Premade. Although other materials are used, strops are most often made of leather. Material The best strops are made from either leather or canvas. I have been honing and shaving with straight razors for about a year and the one mystery that I am still trying to get my head around is strops. Therefore, seeing as I'll be moving to a more hands-on sharpening method, I'd like to do the stropping better. Youll need: There are two main types of strops: diamond and alumina. Soft, flat, supple and smooth is the only criteria I have. Punch two holes near one end of the fabric strip and thread a piece of string through them so that you can hang up your strop when youre not using it. Good for Beginners: Lovehoney Beginner's Unisex Strap-On Harness Kit This five-inch dildo is designed with pegging (or anal penetration) in mind, but Cobb recommends it for anyone who wants to. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Stretch the leather over the tape. Flip the strop over and cut around it to remove the excess leather using a knife. 50 laps on diamond after every shave is a overkill IMO, but each to his own. I want to buy a new strop to replace the one that came with my straight razor but I don't understand or know what qualities one looks for in a strop. If you take care of your strop, it will last for many years. For those using Teflon or sandpaper, place the strip on top of either one and begin rolling it back and forth until its nice and tight. So far Apply a second coat to the leather once first coat is dry and leave to dry for 10 minutes. 5 .Apply a few drops of knife oil (optional) onto the surface of the strop before using it for best results . That's what I mean, most of the information I get sounds like it's subjective, a question of personal preference, rather than fact. Pricing is all over the map. Now that your strip is rolled up tightly, take your knife and make shallow cuts along the entire length of the strop at regular intervals. Leather (preferably vegetable tanned) A good strop can be made in a couple of minutes using a piece of denim from an old pair of blue jeans, and a flat piece of wood. Once the first strip is attached, do the same with the second strip and your razor strop is complete! This works well, and I can definitely feel the difference it makes. Some people even use old t-shirts or bed sheets! If the leather has a shinier side use it with the suede side facing up. I received this blade from a custom razor maker with this defect and can only . It did the job okay, but was of a low quality which didn't give me the optimal edge and it was only a 2 inch wide strop. Next, take one of the strips and attach it securely to a handle. At the hardware store get a roll of double sided carpet tape. Persistent Low Areas During Vintage Shell Strop Restore. Yes, there's a lot of personal preference in strop choice. It may not display this or other websites correctly. It just gets smaller and smaller at which point, you are simply lining up the steel. I took chunks out of strop during the first few months. I have a good feeling about Tony mIllers Premium steer hide old no 2. I use old razors, old stones and vintage strops..couldn't be happier. Would suede work? If you notice one that has the latter, don't shy away from it though, as a blend of all three can sometimes last much longer than ordinary leather. This could be a normal stropping board ( here's one with great value for money) or an old leather belt you repurposed for this effect. This turns the leather into a 15,000 grit surface which sharpens your blade to another level while . -A piece of leather (preferably vegetable tanned) Instructions: I also bring this up because I bought my razor 2 months ago and it just feels dull after a couple of passes. A cheaper option is to make one yourself from an old belt. I cant find leather piece at home and its kinda expensive for me to buy. When used properly, it can put a very fine edge on your knife blade. 3. The reason is clear, people want the best product available and are climbing over themselves to get one, if they were no different to a $50 strop there would be no demand for them, and it's clear they are a much sought after accoutrement to your other shaving gear. Do you get value for money spent? Our compound polish works with so many materials as Aluminum, Stainless, Steel, Brass, Wood, Cast-iron, Copper & Much Compare with similar items Product Description Leather strops. 2. Im also questioning if the thickness is too much cushion but it is pretty hard when you push on it. Press down firmly to ensure the leather is stuck to the wood. About Rokesmith Ltd | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143837561917?epid=1159267686&hash=item217d63043d:g:lYkAAOSwv9hW3VNd, Leather (any processed leather will do, this can for instance be a scrap from leather clothing or a leather bag), Piece of wood or plywood 3 (76mm) wide x 10 (254mm) long (any type of wood you can spare but needs to be flat on the top face). Tip #4 - get your stropping compound ready and at hand. You can't go wrong. To read more on this we recommend the following from Pauls blog: Buffing Compound for Chisels and Plane Irons. I think different leathers treat a razor differently. 2. 2. As long as the leather is of decent quality it's all YMMV. Leather is the most common material used for strops, but canvas and denim can also be effective. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a strop: The main reason why vegetable tanned leather is great for a strop is that it has the presence of natural silicate which is absent in chemical or oil-tanned leather. Strop quality is important. It's just a piece of leather after all. I can really recommend the strops from scrupleworks. With proper care, your strop will help keep your blades razor-sharp for years to come! In fact there is no difference when stropping on my hand either. There are many different ways to make a homemade strop, but the most important thing is to use a material that will not damage your blades. Leather belts with a flat, unadorned surface are best for stropping knives. And you can get a piece of leather for 3; things like this, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143837561917?epid=1159267686&hash=item217d63043d:g:lYkAAOSwv9hW3VNd. CLICK HERE. If your razor isn't sharp it's either because of poor strop technique (and not the strop) or just beginner shave technique that is hard on the edge. I immediately made a second, and a box with a sliding lid to store them along with the wax abrasive sticks, to keep them clean after use. There are many ways to make a razor strop, but this is one of the simplest and most effective methods. I've looked at purchasing a strop paddle like this one link but for the price, I thought I could probably build one myself easily and cheaply! I like simple natural tanned strop, it is economical and have that sticky. Alumina strops are less expensive and will work just fine for most peoples needs. Furthering my research I came upon this article; Stropping a blade on a clean (without abrasive) substrate achieves FOUR results: 1) REALIGNING THE EDGE Although a straight razor is made of hardened steel, the edge is flexible and malleable. It's all in the hide here. The rest is personal preference. The strop is rubbed against the blade of the razor in order to hone it. I have many strops. What we use is abrasive suspended in a wax. It's just another one of those preference things. The width and length will depend on your needs, but around 2 inches wide by 18 inches long should be good for most people. By accessing Badger & Blade, you agree to abide by the Terms of Usage. Check out our list of some of the most efficient razor strops that will pair well with your straight razor. The softening and loss of scratch definition occurs primarily by surface abrasion in the last 2 or 3 microns of the edge, increasing both keenness and sharpness. Sometimes you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find your princess. Below is an example of a relatively large 'ding' in the edge. Last time I checked around the globe there are 3 retailers of Kanayama strops, most have limited range and command more than $250.00. Next, youll need to roughen up one side of the belt so that its abrasive enough to sharpen your razor.