Thread: Illinois 827 Russian Strop

The 827 does not need any treatment except for palm rubbing. The linen side is stiff and requires some time to break in. However, it is very effective.

If you think it is getting slightly dry, you can add some neatsfoot oil. Put it on a towel first and then apply it.

I use and have used these for quite a long time I think I have bought 10 or so...They tend to be my "give to a Newb strop" I use them for pastes also, and after honing un-pasted...

First I wouldn't advise much of anything other than your palm, and if it gets dry use A LITTLE Neatsfoot on a rag or on your palm..

I would not use a bottle on an #827 basically that smooths a strop and doesn't work good on the #827..

Out of all the ones I have bought, I finally only on one, had to sand off the nap a bit, use a sanding block and 400 grit and sand lightly that should only take off the excess nap...

The linen works really, really, well as is, but it takes about 3 months of everyday use to break in...

I only use mine for after honing so I do 50/100, but when I was using them for everyday, I used 25/50 but that is personal so figure it out for yourself

Is this side of the 827 used for anything? I don't think i'd like to run my razor down it...

Originally Posted by DupreesDiamond

Is this side of the 827 used for anything? I don't think i'd like to run my razor down it...

NOPE! I've used one for around 7 years and wouldn't even consider using it for Anything!

The one thing I did with my 827 that really made it nice (much like Gssixgun did, only he used sandpaper) was use my DMT 325 on the napped surface to reduce the size of the nap and make stropping smoother.

What Gssixgun did not do, and I don't strop as many razors as he does in 3 months, is to also use the DMT 325 on the linen side. Not a lot, just enough to break through that plastic feeling coating on the linen side. Other than that, and the tiniest amount of dressing every few years (I use Fromm dressing myself, about a pea's worth on my hand lightly spread out on the palm, then try to spread it out as even as I can on the strop), all it needs it a bit of hand rubbing when going to use it.

And no, the backside of the leather with that impressed pattern is not meant for use, it's an integral part of "russian" leather manufacturing.

The strop is great for beginners too.... a bad flip of the razor and instead of a major disaster, I found the edge just stopped and didn't knick the strop, nor did the strop damage the edge of the razor.

Lastly, yes... it sounds, feels and looks different depending on which direction your razor is moving, and that is perfectly normal and as it should be.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

The one thing I did with my 827 that really made it nice (much like Gssixgun did, only he used sandpaper) was use my DMT 325 on the napped surface to reduce the size of the nap and make stropping smoother.
....

Yep if you have a DMT this is a nice but not required trick.
I do like mine.