Thread: STROPANIC

Originally Posted by seboomerang

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like the strop MUST be broken in before I put my razor to it. I do have a pumice stone, and I wouldn't have a problem running it over the surface a couple of times. How long should I try to break the strop in before I actually put the razor to it? Damaging the strop wouldn't be the end of the world for me, but damaging my razor would really break my heart. :O

Nah, you don't have to do anything to it at all. Mine was good to go when new. Just hand-rub it and strop away.

I recently bought an Illinois #827 strop (with the linen back and Russian leather) and it's on its way. I have read conflicting reviews about the #827. My chief concern is keeping my razor safe, shave-ready and not risking damage to the edge. Is this strop OK for a beginner using a Sheffield steel TH or have I made a big mistake with my first strop choice?

You're worried about nothing. A strop is just a piece of leather. The Illinois strops are nice, and they work right _from the factory_. No break-in, no "pre-treatment", no nothin'.

If you damage the edge, it'll be _your_ fault, not the strop's fault. With any other strop, and the same technique, you'd have done the same damage.

Charles

PS -- If you strop slowly, keep the strop "taut", keep the spine of the razor against the strop, and don't put much pressure on the edge, you _will not_ damage the edge. If you nick the strop, you can sand out the damage. This is not rocket science, and doesn't require post-graduate work.

What everyone else said. I have a 827, got it used, and got a new Scrupleworks a few weeks ago mainly for the additional stropping length. The 827 is a great strop, which one I use depends on my mood more than anything else. I also have no idea what qualities leather has that would improve after breaking it in, or even what qualities it has that could possibly require any breaking in whatsoever.

With anything in wet shaving that requires a break in period (probably there are some exceptions I just haven't thought of), the break in period will improve the qualities said item/product already had. If anything needs to be broken in (again, it'll work properly without that, too), this will happen naturally through normal use.

A good strop is like owning a new car - eventually they all will get a blemish from use. Strop away and enjoy the new strop.