andrew
SE Super Freak
Posts: 6
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Post by andrew on Oct 18, 2013 15:49:16 GMT -6
I have recently gotten into the old single edge razor sets with the non-disposable blades that require some maintenance, like the Rolls Razor. Two of my sets need new strops, and I'm trying to decide if I should do this myself or find someone who can cut the strops for me. One of them is a Darwin Universal set, which has a very thin leather strop attached to a metal plate. This looks pretty straightforward to replace - just cut a piece of leather of the right thickness to the right length and width, and it can be installed quite easily. The other is one for which I do not have a template - it is a leather strop that came with a Henckels Rapide set. I do not have the leather strop, but I do have the stropper that runs along the strop (kind of like the Valet Autostrop).
So what I'm wondering is, how difficult would it be for me to source the leather and do this myself? Or could anyone direct me to a hobbyist or vendor that could help me to replace these strops?
Thanks!
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Oct 18, 2013 23:23:42 GMT -6
Check with Neil Miller in the UK. I'll PM you his email. Better yet, visit his site and it's probably there. If not, let me know. www.strop-shop.co.uk
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Oct 22, 2013 0:30:14 GMT -6
Yes, Neil has made strops for Valets and could probably do the Rapide if he has a template already. Personally, if I needed a Rolls strop I would watch ebay for a cheap one with good leather. You could certainly try your own but the thickness is important. Same for the Darwin. Use nice supple leather and use soap lather to condition the strops for those two. The Rapide was sometimes sold with a stropping handle. You could just use any SE blade Stropper handle and a piece of leather on a bench.
You may just want to start with one and see how it goes. In general, folks struggle to get a comfortable shave edge restoring these blades.
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andrew
SE Super Freak
Posts: 6
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Post by andrew on Oct 24, 2013 21:46:46 GMT -6
Thanks for the great advice. I have asked Neil about making a Rapide strop, but I have yet to hear back from him,
As for the Darwin, I have successfully replaced the strop myself, using a piece of "furniture leather" from Tandy. The salesperson assured me the scrap I bought was real leather, and it seems to be. The thickness matches that of the original strop, but the leather is more supple. I "deglazed" it then treated it with neatsfoot oil before attaching it to the Darwin strop plate. I think it is going to work perfectly.
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