I have an 827 and I admit it is an odd strop in my opinion. Not sure if I was supposed to or not but I "conditioned" mine per the files at yahoo with a pumice stone, shaving lather, and a glass jar. It isn't nearly so rough anymore, but is still rough.
I don't know. Some of my razors seem to react well to it, getting to that hanging-hair sharp in a couple of strokes (which would have took at least 10 or 15 on a regular strop) and others do not like this strop at all.
I wonder what the manufacturer says about this one, or if anyone knows for sure where it sits. I am contemplating getting a dovo strop. So far the best strops I've had were a Jemico red russian and a George Genevesos (sp) strop.
John P