Thread: Different kinds of strops question

Interesting, I don't think I've ever seen pigskin. I'm in the market for a new strop. I only have one and it's all nicked up, so trying to get an idea of what to get.

I was wondering the same thing. I have only been using a straight razor for a few months and I purchased a Illinois strop 827 imperial Russia as my "practice strop". If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the few stops with the flesh side up. Didn't really know about this when I purchased. It not smooth and I'm thinking I might need to by something else. Does anyone know if this style is any good for a razor?

Originally Posted by Parker76

I was wondering the same thing. I have only been using a straight razor for a few months and I purchased a Illinois strop 827 imperial Russia as my "practice strop". If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the few stops with the flesh side up. Didn't really know about this when I purchased. It not smooth and I'm thinking I might need to by something else. Does anyone know if this style is any good for a razor?

If your edge is still shave ready despite stropping every day, it's probably ok. Post a picture and see what the experts think.

Originally Posted by Moonshae

If your edge is still shave ready despite stropping every day, it's probably ok. Post a picture and see what the experts think.

Here is a picture of the 827. Not trying to hijack this thread, but build on the original question. With all the different options of strops I want to find something effective without having 10 different strops. Curious for feedback on the 827.

When I stared out I bought a SRD modular and haven't used anything else. It enables you to interchange pads and the best thing is it is flat and hard. You don't have to worry about incorrectly holding the strop, or that there is to much play in it. You can also take it with you when traveling. I upgraded to the English leather pad and it works best for me.

I am not experienced enough to be taken seriously but of course I will offer an opinion (that's how people are). I bought one of the Illinois 827s when I first started (4 months ago).
After trying to use it I found that instead of having draw it had brakes. I had seen advice abought softening the leather up by applying a bit of neatsfoot oil. That caused the leather
to fall apart. So I went back to my old Ashcraft pigskin strop. Neatsfoot oil softened it up quite nicely. I continue to like it but I later ordered a three inch wide strop from SRD which
I also like. I have thrown away the 827.

Originally Posted by Parker76

Here is a picture of the 827. Not trying to hijack this thread, but build on the original question. With all the different options of strops I want to find something effective without having 10 different strops. Curious for feedback on the 827.

I've got the 827, it's a great strop, especially with the Fine Linen backing coated with cerium oxide (or something like that). I bought mine from the Classic Edge, and Phil mentions that this is one of the strops that unless it has been treated by the factory, benefits from a dime sized dollop of Fromm's Strop Conditioner. I put some on when I got the strop, worked in nicely and softened the strop. Having said that, daily palm rubbing would work it in soon enough.

I'm one of the members here who likes progressive stropping on occasion. Or even different strops for different type razors. I'll use the 827 primarily on big wedge type razors, good heavy draw, and finish up on my SRD 3" Roo strop, which has a very light draw.

The 827 is a great workhorse strop though, and the hard linen backing is something I go to quite frequently after a shave, before hitting the linen backing on my Kanayama strop or the felt backing on the 3" Roo strop.

In the end though, you only need one strop, and more importantly, excellent stropping technique, the rest becomes personal taste and style, or as we say here, YMMV.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Parker76

With all the different options of strops I want to find something effective without having 10 different strops.

I had the good fortune of attending the 2014 Kansas City meet. Hidestoart was there and let me try 7 different animal hides. I was already very happy with my horsehide strop, but it was very educational to get to try so many different leathers one right after another. Attending a meet is a very good way to try many different strops.

Originally Posted by Parker76

I was wondering the same thing. I have only been using a straight razor for a few months and I purchased a Illinois strop 827 imperial Russia as my "practice strop". If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the few stops with the flesh side up. Didn't really know about this when I purchased. It not smooth and I'm thinking I might need to by something else. Does anyone know if this style is any good for a razor?

I bought a vintage 827 because of my frustration with nicking and cutting more expensive strops. It works as good for me as any. I found a great deal on a new 827 and it performed the same. They do have a rougher surface. In my experience (if not ignorance), I get the same results with any strop, any razor, whether the surface is smooth or coarse.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I bought a vintage 827 because of my frustration with nicking and cutting more expensive strops. It works as good for me as any. I found a great deal on a new 827 and it performed the same. They do have a rougher surface. In my experience (if not ignorance), I get the same results with any strop, any razor, whether the surface is smooth or coarse.

Thanks for all the feedback on the 827 guys. It means a lot. I thought I had wasted my time buying the 827 as it is the only one flesh side up. I'm getting better results now as my technique improves. I have also found better results not pulling the strop too tight. It seems everyone here really likes the SRD strops, I was curious if anyone has ever compared them to the ones from Straight Razor Emporium?