[JoshEarl]

Tony Miller asked me to evaluate two variations on the vegan strops he's working on. Who among us could resist a sneak peak at Tony's latest project? Tony encouraged me to post my thoughts in a thread here and to be candid in my evaluation, so I will do my best. I'd be glad to answer questions. I apologize in advance for the long post; my comments here are based on what I said to Tony, so they're more detailed than they might be otherwise.

The two models Tony sent are made from thermal poly urethane, which Tony says has a higher abrasion resistance than his original PVC material. One was a 2" wide model with a bead and thong at the top, and the other was 3" wide with his usual nice strop hook. Both had handles cut into the material.

The TPU is jet black, textured like leather and about the same thickness as Tony's other strops. Overall, I like the feel of the material. Although it doesn't quite inspire the same awe I feel when handling one of Tony's leather strops, it doesn't feel cheap by any means.

Two things I noticed right off the bat: There was some minor fraying on the cut edges of the material, mainly around the handle. It has some kind of fabric inside, and a small amount of the threads peek out on my trial version. Tony may have a plan to seal the edges--not sure on that one.

The other thing is that the material has a curve to it, which Tony says is probably permanent. It comes from being rolled up. It actually curls a bit both ways--widthwise and lengthwise. I don't think it would bug me at all if I wasn't used to Tony's other strops. For a while I wondered whether the heels of my razors were getting stropped. Coupling the "leather" with canvas or linen will probably help it hang straighter.

Tony was concerned that the draw was too much on the 3" model. It doesn't feel that extreme to me. It feels like there's less draw than my #2 latigo but more than the honey brown leather. There also seems to be a break-in period, where the glossy finish wears down a little. The draw seemed to increase as I used the strop over the course of a couple of weeks. I tend to like a heavy draw, so it doesn't bother me at all.

After about a week and maybe 15 or 20 razors, I could see a wear pattern starting about 1/4" from the edge and extending in about an inch or so. I think this is showing the main point of contact for my stroke. I'm using an X pattern even though it's a wide strop. To me this says I wasn't making contact on the outer edge of the strop because of the slight curl. I could see this being a plus for newbies, since they'd be less likely to wreck the edge on the strop's edge... The wear doesn't look to me like it was excessive--I don't think you'd wear this strop out anytime soon unless you're a vegan barber.

I got excellent edges from this strop on the razors I tested, which ranged from 5/8 to 7/8 and from full hollow to wedge grinds.

One thing I really like about it is that it's waterproof. I sometimes strop during the shave, and I always seem to drip water onto the strop from my face when I strop between passes. Also I don't have to worry about cleaning every last bit of lather off the blade before stropping.

This one's a winner in my book. I have a hook on my wall full of Tony's strops, and with so many nice ones to choose from, I don't know how often I'd grab the vegan models in preference to the others. But I do plan to keep and use it. As a travel strop it would be great, and if my convictions prohibited me from using leather, I don't think I'd be sacrificing the quality of my shaves.

Josh

[ucliker]

Very nice review! I was thinking of getting one for travel and camping in the summer.

[Tony Miller]

Thanks Josh!

As Josh pointed out there are a few issues and I had a few concerns with the heavy draw, hence wanting to get an opinion from someone else.

These two samples were made up quickly for my own testing and I was not worried about loose fibers. On production models they will be heat sealed so the little fibers don't peek out at you <g>.

The curling is likely permanent. Thre material is a poly/plastic type product and is made on rolls and sold on rolls. I doubt that it will ever lay perfectly flat, but instead it will always have a gentle arc top to bottom. From side to side it also has a slight bow which I place upward so the center is high, the edges low, so as not to catch a razor on the edge and, when using an X-pattern to insure full blade contact by the time a full stroke is made.

The draw seemed a bit heavy to me but I usually use pressure when stropping, Josh may well be used to lighter pressure so may not have felt the draw was as excessive as I did. I did find that with a bit of negative pressure (feather razor guys are familiar with this term <g>) the draw is easy to control.

I'm fairly critical and feel this is about 85% of what I had hoped. I liked the softer material that Ilija tested a bit more but it does not come in 3" widths. I think it layed a bit flatter too. I still would prefer less draw. I also wosh it was a bit more flexable so it would lend itsself to making my Paragon or Artisan strops from but it seems better suited for the Starter / #2 Original style of construction.

As Jost had stated to me, it's not perfect but very usable and the small trade off are probably worth it if it would finally let a non-leather user get started with straight razors.

I'll post a few photos tonight in the vendor section and should start producing these for next week. As this is pretty new there will be a very generous return allowed in the beginning in case they do not hold up as expected.

I didn't want to field specific sales type questions in the review section so it's probably best if they are asked of me once I post details in the vendor area. Being a new section of the forum I'm not sure the protocal for vendors responding to review questions but I do feel sales related questions are and should be taboo.

Thanks,
Tony

[FiReSTaRT]

The one I tested is a bit flatter. You may wish to keep it in your lineup as a traveller. I'll definitely be taking it up to the north edge of the continent with me early next week.

[mischievous]

Tony, if its an issue, you might consider talking to a plastics guy.

In the past I've worked with various types of plastic that had to be straightened before use and there are/were ways to remove any curve that might effect the product.

Just a thought, which I'm sure you've already considered...

Randy

[mparker762]

I've got one of these vegan/travelling carnivore strops as well, and though I've only had it for a few days I think it's a great travel strop. I thought the draw was fine - substantial but not excessive (I've got some leather strops that draw harder). No fraying edges on mine, and the slight arching on the strop is easily dealt with using an X-pattern. I promptly tossed my little Dovo travel paddle into a box in the back of the closet.

[Tony Miller]

I've talked with my manufacturer and little can be done with the slight bow, it is minor and either a little pressure or an X-pattern makes it a non-issue in most cases. They way the product is made makes this inherent in it's characteristics. The material is a thermal poly urethane with a high durability and abrasion resistance.

Heat sealing the edges has reduced the fraying issue as Josh's tests strop was a quicky to get something in his hands for material testing, not overall product appeal. it's resistance to just about anything though means I cannot mark or stamp it in any way so all e go unbranded for now.

Tony