Straight Razor Place Forums

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Maximilian Workshop/Restorations/Aficionado Join Date: May 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,277

I don't think you need to do much convincing to us here about the quality of Tony's strops. My only question about the buffed horse is over time won't the napp get polished out? or is it really that rough so that will never happen. The other thing is if you can't treat the strop with any oil or conditioner what happens over time especially for those of us who live in 0 humidity environments. I have Tony's smooth horse and I really need to condition it a couple times a year.

Time will tell I guess but like I said. Use the suede brush to revive the nap. My personal favor goes for the horsehide. I can't judge or tell you what to favor. And as to convincing. There's lots of newbies or newcomers to SRP that have never heard of Tony Miller and I'm not trying to convince anyone. Just stating the facts and my experience.

I think the buffed finish can be renewed fairly easily down the road, just as when made new. Most Dovo and Jemico strops have a similar treatment and do hold up over time. It may be possible to apply Neat's Foot Oil from the back to keep the body of the strop supply without directly affecting the front surface.

I'll try testing one treated on the front with Neat's Foot Oil and see if it lays down over a few months...weeks?....days?

When in doubt the latigo is likely more resistant in zero humidity areas.

Tony

Thanks for the review, Max. There's a TM rough horseshide/cotton strop on its way to me right now, so your timing is excellent.

I'm in Canada, so my strop is no doubt sitting in customs for a few days. Frustrating.

I have buffed one of TM's horse hide strop myself. When I dressed the strop with a glycerin based saddle soap, the nap was partially lost but the effect was to leave the surface much like the old time Russian strops.
This is much the same as Latigo that has been well pumiced and soaped, i.e. textured but not rough with good draw and with the ability to bring and edge on very quickly or regain a failing edge.

PuFF

Puff,
I know you have a rather unique method of preparing your strops. it might make a nice post in the strops section sometime for those wanting to achieve the ultimate surface.

Tony

Mine arrived today. The workmanship is first rate. Even the practice strop looks really nice. (I was kind of expecting a scrap of leather, but it's a well-finished strop!)

Can't wait to give it a workout. Thanks, Tony!

Michael

Very well done. Your review of this product no doubt answered some of my strop questions, As what to use 1st then what to finish with. I give this review a 10 out of 10 As far as i can determine Tonys only real competition would be keith at handamerican i feel SAD coming on hope my wife tolerates this bout of acquisition disorder

Jeez!! I want one real bad. Tony....are you back from vacation yet? Hurry up!