Thread: illinois strop numbers

Hello all,
I am a newb who has been shaving with a shavette (going on the cheap) for a few months now, and am slowly making the transition to the more traditional straights. I have a wapi from thewellhonedrazor, and am in the process of getting a strop so that I might actually shave with it (the wapi, not the strop ).

My question is this: when looking around at websites, I see "Illinois #827, #127, #206, #835" etc. I have not been able to find yet what these number refer to, or what the difference in the strops are. I am guessing that they describe some kind of difference in the leather used (and therefore affect the razor slightly differently?). Any help would be appreciated.

More generally (and I have not searched as much on this question), have the members here had good experience with the Illinois strops, or better with the Dovo, or others? I know Tony Miller has a great reputation as well, but I was wondering about others in addition.

The original strop I bought back in 1982 was a Illinois 835 I am still using it.....
My everyday strop is the Illinois 827 Russian and it has a fantastic feel to it...
I also have a TM strop that is of way finer quality leather, than either of the two Illinois But it is a hanging pasted strop so it only sees use after honing a razor... But the quality is superb!!!!
Either a TM or one of the 827's would be a great choice IMHO....

I used to sell Illinois strops before manufacturing my own. The model numbers mostly refer to size differences except for the #127/827

I the "modern" line up the #206 is quiate small, maybe 1 3/4" or 2" wide. The #835 is next in line and maybe 2 1/4" wide. The #127 and #827 are both 2 1/2" wide and about 24" long but one is the typical Illinos top grain cowhide, the #827 is called their Russian strop and uses the reverse, fleh side of the leather instead of the outer surface. The #361 is a more tradionally styled model without the handle.

There are many other model numbers that were used years ago and frequently turn up on ebay.


Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I used to sell Illinois strops before manufacturing my own. The model numbers mostly refer to size differences except for the #127/827

I the "modern" line up the #206 is quiate small, maybe 1 3/4" or 2" wide. The #835 is next in line and maybe 2 1/4" wide. The #127 and #827 are both 2 1/2" wide and about 24" long but one is the typical Illinos top grain cowhide, the #827 is called their Russian strop and uses the reverse, fleh side of the leather instead of the outer surface. The #361 is a more tradionally styled model without the handle.

There are many other model numbers that were used years ago and frequently turn up on ebay.


Tony

Tony, why do they put a horse head on the strops if they are made from cow hide?

Damon,
I think it is just tradition. Back in the day almost every strop was horsehide so it is probably just a hold over. On my first strops years ago I used an embossed horsehead logo too before switching to the oval logo stamps I use now.

There are a few barber supply places on the web representing the Illinois strops as horsehide but Fromm International's (Illinois Strops) own promotional material says cowhide for all of the models.

BTW, your latest strop models look very nice. The handles are done really well.


Tony

Thanks for the info Tony and thanks for the complement about the handle.

Grahamuel, I have been using a 827 russian for a long time. I have a cheep $18.00 strop that I turned into a pasted strop because my pre 1970 Illinois 827 strop still is getting the job done. I use a 300 -400? grit stone to wipe out any cuts when I get distracted stropping. It's more reliable that a timex clock. If you can get your hands on one thats in good shape snag it up. I use baseball glove oil to keep it soft two or 3 times a year. Other than the chepo strop the only experance with a strop I ever had is the Illinois strop. I just wish it was a little bit longer.

I just recieved a TM apprentice strop today and was very impressed with the quality. Untill now my only strop has been a Illinois 835. The strops cost about the same, but the TM is far better its wider, longer and much nicer quality leather.If it were me I would take a closer look at a TM.

Thanks to all for the helpful replies and opinions! I think I knew my answer before I posted (at least about which to get), but I was curious about my original question anyway. I suppose I will just be a little bit more patient and wait until TM has some originals available again, as some people seem to put stock in the linen/leather combo for their razor prep, and since I am learning I would like to experiment. Again, thanks for all the help throughout the forums.