Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2-Inches x 24-Inches, IRS361

Mine did come with a small indent on the edge of the leather that I was not not happy about but it hasn't hurt my ability to use the strop. From the start it was stiff and had a slick draw as others have mentioned but I don't really mind that as I have found that usually gives me a better edge. It also had been lightly folded at some point creasing it about 1/3 up from the bottom. I did eventually sand the leather a little bit and added neats oil and the strop has remained slick as ever. I have a Dovo extra wide Russian leather strop and this one actually leaves me with a better edge than it does so take that as you will. The linen side is typical and works fine for its purpose, I use it as a cleaning prep before going to leather and use no compound on it. If not for the indent and crease I would have given this 5 stars because for the price it's a good strop that compares to more expensive ones. Again this strop has a slick draw that may or may not be remedied because of the thick slick leather so it may not be for everyone. If you prefer a draw and still wanna try it avoid any conditioners for a while as they will only make it slick again.

The best thing I can say about this is that I switched from my old strop to this new strop and without honing any of my razors on my whetstones, it improved the comfort and feel of each shave. After 50 or so laps you will feel a difference. Apparently , not all leather is equal.

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE HARDWARE IS NOT THE GREATEST BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BREAK AND IT DOES THE JOB IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. THE LEATHER IS A REALLY HIGH QUALITY NAPA LEATHER AND NICE AND THICK. THIS IS GREAT FOR ANYONE TO USE AND NOT A BEGGINERS STROP. THERE IS NO SUCH THING.A BEGINNER NEEDS A STROP JUST LIKE THE SEASONED USER.THIS IS A REVISED REVIEW I ALREADY DELETED MY FIRST REVIEW??. A THREE INCH STROP IS EASIER TO USE BUT THEN YOU NEED TO CONSIDER CUPPING. THE WIDER THE STROP THE MORE CHANCE OF CUPPING. SO THIS IS FINE AT 2.5 INCHES. I PURCHASED A BUFFALO BRAND STROP FROM ROYAL SHAVE BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOIULD BE BETTER BECAUSE OF THE PRICE TAG(150.00) THE HARDWARE LOOKED BETTER BUT THE LEATHER WAS TERRIBLE AND IT HAD A DEFECT IN IT. I RETURNED IT BUT THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE. THAT EXPERIENCE ALONE WAS A WAKE UP CALL AND I REALIZED WHAT A BARGAIN THIS STROP REALLY WAS.IF YOUR NEW TO WET SHAVING WITH A STRAIGHT EDGE? YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT A STROP IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN A HONE. HAVING A STROP IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!!!! A STONE IS NOT BECAUSE YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND YOUR RAZOR OUT TO GET SHARPENNED EVERY 3-6 MONTHS BUT YOU WILL NEED TO STROP YOUR RAZOR BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY SHAVE. AFTER SHAVING IS JUST A GOOD WAY TO MAKE SURE YOUR EDGE IS DRY BECAUSE THE STROP WILL WICK AWAY ANY MOISTURE IF STILL PRESENT. ALSO USE A PAPER TOWEL TO DRY YOUR BLADE.WHEN YOU STROP YOUR RAZOR THERE IS NO NEED TO BE FAST ABOUT IT. TAKE YOUR TIME AND DO IT RIGHT AND TRY NOT TO CUT YOUR STROP. SEVEN ROUND TRIPS ON THE CANVAS SIDE AND FIFTY ROUND TRIPS ON THE SMOOTH LEATHER SIDE. LIGHT PRESSURE BUT NOT FEATHER WEIGHT PRESSURE. HANG YOUR STROP AT A HEIGHT SOMEWHERE AROUND THE HEIGHT OF YOUR BELLY BUTTON. SPEED WILL DEVELOPE OVER TIME. YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS DOING IT RIGHT. WHEN YOU NICK YOUT STROP ON THE SIDES IF IT IS A PROBLEM JUST SAND IT DOWN WITH SANDPAPER UNTIL IT IS SMOOTH. I HAVE NICKS ON MY STROP AND I DON"T DO ANYTHING TO REMOVE THEM.GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER THIS IS A GREAT STROP REGARDLESS OF YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL. ALSO YOU MAY WANT TO RUB STROP DRESSING ON IT TOO.

In case you aren't aware yet, the working surface of this particular strop model is flesh-side out. The top-grain side is heavily-ribbed and effectively unusable due to crimping from the rollers they used to compress the flesh side and improve it's density. Supposedly it's modelled after old Russian strops that used the flesh-side out to improve drag and reduce the number of passes for the same effect. (It will need some breaking in first to get the best results.)When I bought this due to a random price drop notice, I didn't realize it had a peculiar design to it, nor did I know the reason behind it.I was prepared to be disappointed, but oh boy.Once you break it in, this thing's got draaaaag!I swear 15 passes (both sides of blade) with my full-hollow straight razor on this thing is equivalent to at least 50 passes on the top-grain ox hide paddle strop I've been using for the past several years. It's great.And while I've never nicked a strop so far, a plus side of this design is that you don't have to worry about nicking the top-grain since it's 100% flesh-side out. And any light to moderate nicks can be sanded out if need be. Perfect first strop for beginners.

This is my third strop and I like it. It's just wide enough for a small X stropping pattern on a regular length blade. The leather seems to be the best among the strops I've used previously and the linen side is a welcome change from the course leather and cheaper-feeling materials on the other two.The handle is flat like most, so harder to hold with a bigger hand, but the leather is soft so no hot spots while gripping it and folding the edges a little.

I suggest not drinking 8beers and feeling the need to shave after stropping

Me parece de calidad buena, un buen asentador para iniciarse y no cortar otros más caros

This is not Fromm, but rather Illinois strop company, number 127. I recommend it as it came in good condition. Didn't have the same problem as the popular negative review above. Works well enough after breaking in.

Excellent value, good quality and nice presentation for gift giving. Very pleased and grandson should love it and have it for a lifetime.