Robert Gallacher is a leather hobbyist from the UK who started making strops fairly recently, but as far as we can tell his strops are already starting to build quite a reputation. We all need the big vendors to supply the masses with razors, blades and products, but we are also very keen supporters of the 'smaller guys' who are usually a lot more passionate about their products, and certainly more approachable to engage with.
We ordered a few strops last year and they arrived today, we certainly like what we see, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding or the 'edge is in the leather' Let's see what South Africans think of these products.
My strops have all changed character over time, especially those I use when I sharpen a few razors at a time, so use your strop as often as possible to get to know its personality. Take care of your leather and make sure it doesn't dry out, we have some pretty arid conditions in some parts of South Africa.
We'd love to see some ratings on our page, and also on Robert's Facebook page, so feel free to join up, ask questions, make remarks and leave reviews, it's all about making the shaving world a better place for all of us.
If you have something unique in mind be sure to give us or Robert a shout, we'll see what we can do to make it happen, lead times will be pretty long, and import rates on leather is crazy, so make sure you do your homework and get exactly what you are after.
Robert's page right here.
As I have not used any of his (or for that matter any other leather apart from 'homesoil beeste' as yet, I am going te reserve my comments on them until I have swiped some steel on them, feel free to browse around on his Facebook page and read the reviews from some of his customers.
The leather types are listed in the order as they appear in the pics, Vachetta, Virginia and Horsehide. I'll update the listing on the properties of the leather as we 'get to know them.
The stropping surface of the strops are 600 mm x 80 mm.