Thread: My strop feels like sandpaper......

Okay, I'm extremely new to straight razor shaving and just received a brand new razor for my B-day..... the DOVO 5/8 "Bergischer Lowe".....

Well, I finally got the nerve to shavewith it so I started doing some research (I wish I would have seen this site befor I made my purchase!) and bought a hanging strop; the Illinois Russian Leather strop #827 and the Lynn Abrams Video from ClassicShaving.com.....

Yesterday, I received my strop and I don'y know if I have to condition this or not... most people are saying that I don't need too, but straight out of the plastic, this strop is really rough! Literally, I have felt partical board that was smoother than this..... the best way I can describe this is by taking my hand against the leather towards the swivel, it feels somewhat smooth but as I travel from the swivel to the handle it feels like "soft sandpaper" or a ...... is this the way it's supposed to be or do I need to condition it?

I'm afraid to take my razor to it..... or do I need to?

I watched the entire video and he doesn't seem to address a situation like this..... doe any one have any suggestions.....

Any advice would be great!

Thanks a lot!
--STOGIE--
.....o~`o

You may want to contact Tony Miller, a member here who makes great strops at affordable prices. I'm sure he will be able to answer your question with ease.

If I recollect, that is how all the #827's are, but I am sure that someone who owns an 827 or sells them will come along and set you straight!

Hi, I have an #827 which was originally purchased as a practice strop. And, yes, my strop feels the same way. I have other strops, but the 827 is doing such a great job, I see no reason to use the others So, IMHO, strop away and enjoy your shaving experience.

Good luck.

LIMIT

Ah HA!

My crappy Pakistani strop now makes more sense. I had a similar surface... on the back of the piece of leather. It was assembled backwards then.

yay!

Originally Posted by Criticalpedestrian

Ah HA!

My crappy Pakistani strop now makes more sense. I had a similar surface... on the back of the piece of leather. It was assembled backwards then.

yay!

And the prize goes to.......!

The Illinois #827 is assembled backwards on purpose. the business side of this one is the flesh, or "cow" side of the hide as opposed to the "people" side we normally see <g> They compress this leather by rolling ridges into the back to make it firm and to harden the rough side.

There have been posts about pumicing these to obtain a smoother surface but I think if going the Illinois route I'd select a #127 which is the smooth version of this model or, my favorite the #361, a 2 1/2" x 24" traditionally styled, straight cut bottom strop (no handles).

Tony

Thank you, Mr. Miller. I will hopefully be purchasing one of your lovely items in the next month or so. I have to convince the wife that this isn't just another one of my fads, to justify spending money on it.

This does explain a lot.

Also, I'm totally stealing the idea of "cow side vs. people side" when describing leather... heheheh

Stogie,

Don't worry about the strop. The IRS # 827 Russia is a high quality strop. Use a little more pressure when stropping with the grain (which ever way feels smoother to your hand on your strop), and lighter pressure when going against the grain (the rougher direction). Do the same when hand dressing the strop. Over time the strop will smooth out and condition nicely. You can speed up the process with a pumice, but it's not necessary. Use strop dressing sparingly on this strop unless you want intense "draw" from it.

Also, to prolong the life of the attached leather handle, I recommend you hold your strop a little higher up at the point where the handle and strop propper are joined. This will take some of the stress off of the handle so that it won't tear, which they seem to do after a couple of years use.


Scott