One sided comfort

I am stropping on an Ilinois #827 and have noticed lately that one side of the razor shaves more comfortable than the other side. This strop uses the rough side of the leather and I don't know whether the compression has come loose or if I roughed it up with a sloppy stroke but the bottom line is the strop now has a defininate grain that is just like a beard...you rub it one way and its smooth but rub the other way and its rough...and its affecting the way my razor shaves.

I've tried applying dressing and rubbing it with a bottle until I have to shave with an electric because my arms are shaking too bad for even a Mach 3 and it still makes no difference. It's maybe good for 20 or 30 strokes and then the grain is back.

Any suggestions?

And just to think, "I thought I had heard them all".

I don't think I could deal with that one. I'd buy a new strop at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier -
or where ever - ??

As a #827 fan, and have been for some time, I don't think the strop is the problem..... I honestly think yer changing pressure on either the up stroke, or the down stroke JMHO,,,,, I also recommend TM's strops they are super high quality leather.... In fact I have a new straight shaver starting when he gets his razor next week, so if your looking to get rid of that #827 he would be interested in that one, he is not a rich guy but he would be willing to help fund a different strop purchase for you !!!!!
PM me, if you decide that it is the strop and want to change it....

Glen,

Thanks for the generous offer but right now it's the only stop I have and it's better than nothing. After Tony gets back from vacation I'll probably aquire one of his Artisan strops and I'll probably end up using the 827 for paste.

I don't think its my stropping technique as it does the same thing when I just rub it with my hand.

I have never seen leather that does not have a grain direction as you are describing, just not so extreme. Perhaps if you take a pummice stone a grind away some of the loose fiber it will recompress.

I am not too familiar with manufactured stops as i've always made my own- what limits you from using the other side?

"I am not too familiar with manufactured stops as i've always made my own- what limits you from using the other side?"

The other side has ridges cut into it when it is compressed during manufacture. It looks like its covered with mini speed bumps. Not sure how that would work for stropping. Has anyone ever tried that side?