Thread: NOS Strop with Russian Tannage

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I think you'll find the thin material may actually the top grain of the hide. IIRC, unlike other strops the flesh side is the stropping side but it is worked into a super smooth state.

This is true for some but this one is like most others, it is the back that is embossed. If you have a Certifyd you can verify this. It is part of the processing that helps to make the leather more supple.

Here are some other photos. The top layer feels sorta of rough like a pressed rough leather; the bottom has a smooth feel, sorta of like smooth rubber. So it could be reversed as suggested.





Now, when you look at it from the edge, it's not so easy to tell.

Here is an archived post by strop maker extraordinaire, Tony Miller, addressing the Russian strop.

That last pic looks like the top grain is the red side but it could even be a split hide & the embossing gives that illusion
The main thing is that it works