Thread: Bum strop??

I have an Illinois Strop Co Russian Imperial Hanging strop and I noticed that the grain of the leather is situated so that the "away" stroke is smooth but the "pull" stroke is raising the slight nap on the leather. The strop is new and has always had this property. Is this normal or do I have a bum strop? Sorry if this question belongs in the newbie thread.

I don't think you have a bum strop. Mine
does the same thing.

John

Hopefully someone like TM will come along and explain all about how all leather has grain......
But I will say this I have owned a Illinois #835 strop for over 25 years and that one is still going strong... I have the #827 Russian and it's a great strop and I will probably continue to use it because I like the draw...

All that being said I ordered a double leather pasted hanging strop from Tony Miller and WOW huge difference in quality, so much so that the one item on my Birthday list is going to be, the biggest, baddest, best strop, that Tony has in June hehhehe.....

According to a conversation I had with Ed Simmon of Fromm Int (originally Illinois Razor Strop Co), back in Oct. 2006, the grain of a properly constructed strop should run from top (the swivel end) to bottom (the handle end).

From what you've described it seems your strop may have been constructed backwards. Maybe IRS Co is having some QC issues.

Whether this will, or will not, have a big impact on stropping efficiency is probably a very fine point. I think your strop should work just fine as is.

The only consideration, and this again comes from Mr Simmon, is these strops (particularly the #827 Russian) are meant to be used/ stropped with more pressure with the grain, and less pressure when stropping against the grain. Stropping in that fashion would prevent the nap on these strops from rising and, over time, actually helps smooth them out.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I thought it was probably fine since I know that all leather has a grain and strop makers must deal with that some how. What you say makes total sense. As soon as I get my str8 back from Lynn I will be sure to strop intelligently.