Thread: Illinois 827 strop

Originally Posted by Chris L

I've never owned an Illinois strop. Is that seriously the stropping side of that strop? Really? I can't imagine stropping my razors on such a surface. I do use the "flesh" side of strops, but only after hand sanding all that nap off of it.

Chris L

Seems crazy right? It is a great strop though. It was my first and I get better results on my wedges using it for what ever reason. I love it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for anyone or any blade.

-Rob

Rob: It does seem crazy. But it must work. Interesting.

Chris L

Originally Posted by hults

827 on the left, 127 on the right

It isn't that rough. But that is what I'm talking about.

Conditioned with what? I know we used to condition baseball gloves with petroleum jelly. Will that help on a strop too?

I've only ever used Fromm strop and Dovo paste... but not often with either. Mostly I just rub my strops with my palm when walking by.

I think others have mentioned mink oil, neatsfoot oil and the like. There's probably a lot more information on your options in the wiki.

Originally Posted by stdreb27

It isn't that rough. But that is what I'm talking about.

Conditioned with what? I know we used to condition baseball gloves with petroleum jelly. Will that help on a strop too?

Please do not use petroleum products on your leather, get some neatsfoot oil or something similar.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Please do not use petroleum products on your leather, get some neatsfoot oil or something similar.

Why? Out of curiosity?
I've done a lot of stuff to really really expensive baseball gloves. And of all the different things we played with, nothing softened leather, treated it, cleaned and moisturized my gloves better than Vaseline. We'd rub in a good layer, then remove the excess with a old tshirt or something.

My 827 looked pretty much like that, only it alternated between rough and smooth in bands. It drove me nuts, so I took some 400 grit sandpaper and sanded it until I got it to a smoothness I liked. I finished it off by putting some Neatsfoot on it, which was probably not the best of choices. It has a really nice draw now, but will occasionally leave a bit of "residue" (best description I can give it) on the edge of the blade. It's easily wiped off, and is only a minor annoyance.

Works very well for my heavier Wade and Butcher, but not quite as well for the lighter, more hollow ground blades.

Regards,

Charles

Originally Posted by stdreb27

It isn't that rough. But that is what I'm talking about.

Conditioned with what? I know we used to condition baseball gloves with petroleum jelly. Will that help on a strop too?

Yeah, I've owned several 827 Russia strops and none have ever been as rough as the one shown in that pic. There is certainly a texture to it, but nothing like that. If that is an 827 and it really is that rough....somethings not right.



Scott

That was taken with a macro lens. So, it makes the 827 look a bit rougher than it really is. It's also on the lower edge, which doesn't get much action.