Thread: Specifics of a makeshift belt "strop"

Ok guys i've gotten my first set up (minus, obviously, a good hanging strop) and i've read that you can use an old leather belt as a strop until you can come into a good one (read ALOT of threads actually). My question is what qualities should the belt definitely have or not have to serve, at least temporarily as a strop?

I have a brown, wide, fairly soft, fine grain belt. It was a gift about 1.5 years ago and has never even been worn. Its very flexible and does not have the "shiny" coating used on some leather goods, it pretty dull, fairly natural looking. I was considering looping it over the towel rod through the buckle and just gripping it by the notch end to use.

Any things to look for or consider before i use it like this, please let me know.

And i do plan on getting a nice leather strop, but as of right now i stay fairly strapped for cash and its christmas time so i want to focus more on buying for my loved ones than buying my own toys. That is what christmas is about after all right?

I see no reason why that shouldn't work just fine.

so other than just making sure it is flexible, smooth and has a fine,tight grain nothing to look for? No prep needed? Just hook up, use proper stropping technique and go?

As far as I know that would be fine. It may or may not be as effective as a sure enough pro razor strop but they are both made of leather when you come right down to it. It ought to do until you get an actual strop.

Like Jimmy said, as long as it's flexible you should be fine. Just make sure it's not a belt you cherish too much or anything since most of the time as a beginner you may end up nicking your belt strop a couple times until you get more used to it. If you get the chance take a look at Lynn's video it will help out a ton with learning how to strop properly. A belt would be a good start though until you get used to it so you don't ruin a $60 strop. If the belt is too stiff I've been told that you can buy some William's mug soap (pretty cheap about a buck or two throw away shave soap you can get at most drug stores) and lather the belt up on your stropping surface and let it dry over night, then you should be able to wipe off the dried lather. If there's still some residue you may be able to dab a small bit of water on and rub your hand up and down the surface. Be sure to rub your hand up and down it anyway because the natural oils in your hands will help keep it soft and conditioned. That's just from what I read though, your results may vary, but it should work out just fine for you.

I've been using a belt for the last 8 months or so. I nicked my strop that I paid $70.00 for and I found a nice 2 inch wide belt at a thrift store for 89 cents.
It works just as well as the strop.