Thread: Strop nap

Hello, I've read lots of posts but still am cornfused,,, I have an Illinois 827 Russian Leather strop, used it twice and it appears that there is a nap coming up, like suede. I'm sure there are no nicks or dings on my blade as the nap is too uniform (no line cauced by a burr) and looking thru a loupe shows a clean, shining edge, free of nicks and dings. I haven't done anything to the strop as I've heard somewhere that one doesn't need to condition, roll a glass, or pumice stone a new Russian Leather strop. Is this napping normal or indicitive of a problem and if so, what do I do?
thanks, Zig

The 827 "Russian" has a very definite grain that runs from top to bottom. Look carefully at your strop to confirm this. If you rub your hand down the strop, the grain will smooth out. If you run your hand from the bottom of the strop up, it will lift the grain.

On these strops it is best to avoid going against the grain, especially when cleaning, hand dressing, etc.

When stropping your razor, apply more pressure on the down stroke (with the grain), and less on the up stroke (against the grain). This should help to correct your problem.

BTW, in case it crossed your mind, don't be concerned with uneven wear on your razor by following my suggestion above. Remember, you are stropping steel against relatively soft leather (esecially true of the 827). If there is any uneven wear at all, it is too little to be seriously concerned about.
Now, on the other hand, if you have adulterated your "Russian" with an abrassive stropping paste, then you might have a valid concerne for uneven wear. But hopefully you didn't do that.

Good luck,

Scott