Is there such a thing as a non leather strop?

Question

I am a vegan and I want to buy a straight razor. But all the ways I've found to sharpen one requires a leather strop. I just want to be able to sharpen the razor without using animal products.

Answer 1

Check out strops made by Tony Miller. I have a vintage strop for my razors but were I to purchase a new one I would go with him based on reputation alone. If memory serves me he does have one model of strop preferred by vegans that while not as good as leather, will do the job. If he doesn't have any available, just e-mail him and he can let you know when some more will be available. There is always the linen strop but they are not for putting that "final touch" on your razor. This would be my first and foremost suggestion.

Another alternative would be to go the vintage route, as long as the leather is still supple, you won't be going wrong.

One last thing that will work in a pinch is newspaper. It has mildly abrasive properties so it will strop a razor but I definitely DO NOT suggest stropping on it daily as you can easily over hone your razor rendering it useless.  

Answer 2

I am afraid that they all come in leather.So i'd suggest to buy the plastic straight razors in stead.

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Answer 3

You could try the workaround justification a friend of mine uses for buying products made from animal skin/fur:  buy it vintage and say to yourself "the animal would've died of natural causes by now anyway"