So just got an Illinois #827 2.5" strop from the Classic Edge, Phil say's to use some conditioner on this strop for initial use. So put some on, let it dry for the 24 hours, and did some stropping using this beast of a strop.

I must say, the draw on this strop is superb, the fine linen side on the other side is almost like a rough plastic edge, but I've read that mellows with time.

Anyhow, stropped up a razor, 50 X, and had a shave, wow, it really brought the edge up, this is a great strop, and I've read lots of interesting stuff here about it.

So, having used the Fromm Strop Conditioner on my new strop, I figured I'd try to condition my other two. It's winter here, and it's extremely dry, and palm rubbing wasn't cutting it. So applied some and the strops literally drank it up.

Used another razor and stropped on it, and the draw had nicely returned. The other two strops I guess would be considered micro-polished, very smooth shiny strops.

So, does anybody use a progression when stropping? I took out one of my big 9/8 W&B's, stropped on the linen, then moved to the Illinois, and then finished on the SRD 3" strop and had a shave. The edge was superb, really smooth and clean, a description I wouldn't necessarily have used before.

So, any thoughts / experiences on the Illinois #827, the Fromm Strop Conditioner, or potentially using a stropping progression?

Thanks!