What is a "Russian" strop?

Basic question here: what is a "Russian" strop, and how does it differ from a "non-Russian" cowhide strop? (I'm talking here about how the strop is made, not country of origin.)

Some information sources tend to suggest that the two are the same, whereas others suggest that this isn't the case (and that a Russian strop is a kind of love-it-or-hate-it sort of affair).

Thanks.
-Ivan

I have owned and currently sell Russian strops too and there are some differences. There are also differences as to just what people think they are or what they were meant to do differently than say a regular strop.

Older descriptions talk of highly compresed leather. Some of the older Russian strops carry wording alluding to special long term tanning of the leather. I have had several indication 11 months of tanning. Some of my Russian strops were even made in Russia and carry Russian (cyrillic) characters.

I currently sell Illinois Strop Co. Imperial Russia strops. The back side of te leather on these is ribbed and looks to either be milled away in a rib pattern or perhaps compressed in a die to create the ribs. The result is that the front, while first looking smooth is actually finely textured and has a crackled finish that roughens with use very quickly. In practice I find they create considerably more "draw" than a regular strop possibly aligning the edge more quickly. I use mine as a preliminary strop before using a smooth #127 or #361 strop for a final edge. Most of my older Russian strops also have a pattern embossed into the back that alters the front texture too.

I think much of it is a matter of preference. Many like the rough strops, many like the Illinois #127 with a smoth yet tacky finish, many like the Hand American leather like on Geroges strops with a very slick finish.

Tony

I think that russian strops are made of leather we call in German "Juchtenleder". I didn't find a translation of "Juchten", sorry.

As already mentioned by Tony this leather is tanned in a special way with birch oil.

The traditional russian way of tanning includes the grain processing of the surface to get a special texture.

Best regards
Martin

A little more research with Illinois themselves indicates the #827 Imperial Russia strop is indeed made differently. The back side which has ribs is actually the skin (top grain) side of the leater and has been pressed in dies or rollers, the top "smooth" side is actually the inner flesh side of the leather and while looking smooth at first actually has a tight texture to it which roughens with use.
The owner and another fellow there are looking into my questions further.

I did a web search for Jutchen and found a German translations that describes what the word applies too (strops) but not an actual meaning. My German friend did a rough translations for me and came up with the Birch Oil Martin mentioned along with Willow bark tanning and some reference to the surface itself. Both horse hide and cow were mentioned.

This actually sparked an interesting conversation as he knew an old German barber, now deceased that gave straight razor shaves here in Baltimore. My friend Volker described how his friend would show off by shaving the lather off of an inflated balloon without bursting it !

Tony

Hey Everybody.

My understanding of Russian Tanned strops is all in the processing. What differs from other types of tanning such as corinthian leather vs Russian tanned leather is the fact they do use Birch in the tanning process.

This is what gives it it's rich red colour.

You can sometimes still smell the birch on the leather and that used to be a way to test if it was true Russian tanned leather but some unscrupulous folks started adding birch oil on top of their red leather and sold it for russian.

Books can probably be writen on this. :)

George,
most of the old articles I found pretty much confirm it's the processing. Birch Oil, Willow Bark, etc...... several of the ones I have owned even had words to the effect of 11 month tanning so it must be a prolonged process.

Almost all have been textured to some degree as Illinois does now. My Jemico Russian is smooth on the front and pebble finish on the back but has a very hard surface, much more than any other strop I tried. It too is a deep red color. Illinois on the other hand is pretty much the same color as their regular strops so I assume the only difference for them is in using the interior side of the leather and the compression of the surface.

As for what is better? Everything I have found indicates it is personal preference and what you just got used to using. I do like the increased draw though and use it along with a smooth strop each day.

Tony

Hey tony,

I'm sure the old 11 month process has been replaced with chemical dryer, heaters & such. Otherwise we would have the choice of a strop or a ferrari :lol:

What's better? like a 9/8th razor or a 5/8? yeah it's all preference. In fact I took one of my older strops, with nicks and put a pumice stone to it to take off the rough stuff. Took off the nap too. It's texture is rough like my old dorko strop. It made it drag a little more as well.

Shaving wise, I don't see a difference between my roughed strop, smooth strop, or the 16 year old dorko. Then again I remember in the old yahoo group, some where using leather belts and someone in particular was using his leather pants, while he was wearing them.

I don't have an Illinois but I'm sure there is no difference in performance. only in preferance.

Anybody want's go find out I'm sure Tony & I would be happy to sell you half a dozen or so to anybody who wants to test them out :D

Take care.

George