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