Thread: Russian Finish--Backside

I am a noob with a questions that I haven't seen answered yet.
I recently purchased a Dovo strop with " one-sided tan Russian finish leather" from Vintage Blades LLC.
The finished side is tan and smooth as silk, while the back side is red and bumpy-dimpled.
It was advertized as a single sided strop. However, I was wondering if there is any use for the "unfinished"
side? Maybe a paste polish?
Any comments or advise would be appreciated.

If I am not badly mistaken the rough side is part of what gives the smooth side it's characteristics as being a Russian finish. It is not meant to be stropped on.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If I am not badly mistaken the rough side is part of what gives the smooth side it's characteristics as being a Russian finish. It is not meant to be stropped on.

On this review of the Hand American strop it says that the diamond side is most definitely to be used...

Originally Posted by Seraphim

On this review of the Hand American strop it says that the diamond side is most definitely to be used...

Guess I was badly mistaken

If you're talking about the Dovo 3" wide "Russian style" strop, then you must be referring to the reddish colored side of the strop that looks like it has sort of a skin type relief on the surface? Not a dimpled surface, but a somewhat raised surface that has a random grain to it. Disturbingly IIRC it looks like a similar pattern to human skin rather than dimpled pigskin, etc.

At any rate I think I know the strop you're talking about as I owned one some time ago (sold it).

I see no reason why you couldn't apply a diamond paste or chrome ox to that side. The surface is level.

Chris L

I have a couple of Russian style strops, they have a diamond pattern on the back of them and I have never used the back and have never heard of it until now.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I have a couple of Russian style strops, they have a diamond pattern on the back of them and I have never used the back and have never heard of it until now.

That is what I was thinking of. I remember reading that the diamond finish gives the smooth side the feel it has. I guess you could paste and use it if you wanted to. Maybe Tony Miller will run up on this thread and offer his expert opinion.

Originally Posted by Chris L

If you're talking about the Dovo 3" wide "Russian style" strop, then you must be referring to the reddish colored side of the strop that looks like it has sort of a skin type relief on the surface? Not a dimpled surface, but a somewhat raised surface that has a random grain to it. Disturbingly IIRC it looks like a similar pattern to human skin rather than dimpled pigskin, etc.

At any rate I think I know the strop you're talking about as I owned one some time ago (sold it).

I see no reason why you couldn't apply a diamond paste or chrome ox to that side. The surface is level.

Chris L

Yes, this is the same strop. The red "patterned" part does have a random grain. Although the surface is level, It seems a little rough with the "pattern". I am apprehensive about using it for fear of damaging my blade (a Dovo silver steel with ebony handle).

There is a difference between each manufacturers "russian" strops. Some consider it a special tanning process that leaves a very reddish surface and may possibly be more abrasive than veg tanned cowhide, others have a diamond pattern cut into the working side to add friction when stropping and others are compressed to make a very firm tempered surface. Illinois does this by having the working side be the flesh side of the hide and rolling ridges into the back side to compress and harden the leather. here you get both a firm surface and a texture from the rough grain. On the Dovo I feel they are doing much the same by using an embossed leather. When rolling the pebble finish in to the leather it is compressed making the opposite, flat side much more firm. the pebble side could be used I guess but don't think that was the intent. Normally the pebble finish is done to create a decorative look. the by product of which is a hard opposite side when just happens to work well for stropping. A clever use of existing materials and technology really.

Tony

I believe that "Russian Finish" applies to the tanning process not the type of leather. Cross-hatch/diamond/rail sleeper embossing is not a Russian process and is not meant for stropping on, it is there to impart a character to the strop surface. I have many strops with this finish to the reverse side and all have a linen component that would make it unrealistic to use the reverse leather side. If the cross hatched side was to be used then surely they would not include the linen or make it awkward to use. Dovo use a hard plastic finish to the back of their Russian strops that can only be there to promote the same effect. This is not a side for stropping on. My thinking is that these patterns are there to alleviate stress in the leather and stabilise the strop as well as compress the strop surface.

PuFF