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Hi,
Finally I got myself another razor (Timor). Now looking to get a nice strop. Read some reviews on the web about Illinois strops, looks like they are a good buy. Anyone can share their official website ? and maybe some thoughts about their quality, since I am sure many of you might have it.
Thanks
I bought mine from amazon.com.Quote:
Originally Posted by Unitouch
The Illinois 827 Russian is 2.5 wide and a nice strop! I like it also because it has the linen strop along with it.
I got an illinois 127 and I had a lot of problems with it. It was pretty cupped, so that it would only make contact with the outer edges of the strop. I was waxed too much, so there was no grab what so ever. I have tried many things to flatten it, and it hasn't really helped too much.
If I had to do it over again, I'd get a ruprazor. In fact, I'm looking to get a ruprazor strop to replace the illinois I'm unhappy with.
Stay away from the cheaper models ... mine turned out to be a good practice strop ... not very good quality, but I ended up nicking it anyway ...
Thanks for your comments, i'll keep that in mind.
Does anybody knows what is their official website ?
I heard that the 127 can be really stiff. I love my 827 Russian though!!Quote:
Originally Posted by markevens
Illinois razor Strop is a very old company, now owned by Fromm International.
Fromm is a major beauty supply outfit selling anything and everything dealing with barber and beauty shops via a large network of dealers. I don't think they have a brick and mortar store.
I am also not sure where their strops are actually made. Their website says "Americas Only Strop Maker".
http://www.frommonline.com/cat4x2.aspx?id=21301
Yeah, to be honest I thought I'd gotten a lemon. I read a lot of reviews on strops before I made my purchase, and many people seemed to like them. Mine just gave me too much trouble though, so I doubt I'll ever get another one.Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffegg2
I think I got a lemon as well. It was my first strop and I really liked it, but it started cupping after a very short time. The vendor told me to send it back to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by markevens
Good luck with your Timor. This is not a razor I would normally recommend to anyone. I find them difficult to hone and hold an edge. Obviously Fromm/Illinois is not the only strop maker in America..........lol.
Have fun,
Lynn
I went into an old beauty supply place searching for gold and found 2 Illinois 206sQuote:
Originally Posted by Unitouch
bought the first one for twenty bucks,to practice on,it turned out to be a really nice strop,linen and leather both good quality and the leather laid flat as a board.I figured that they had been there for a long time as the cheapest I could find them on the web was close to fifty bucks and more in some places, I used a good quality glove oil and it soaked up alot,then I used it and it worked like a dream,so I went back and bought the other one,that Ill use for pastes or as a spare. The one thing that I was wondering is if you have a good strop,is there really a difference in a different one assuming its also of good quality?Ive been eyeing Lynns as its 3 in as opposed to the 2.5 Illinois but aside from the ease that the width brings is there a difference in plain leather?
I purchased an Illinois #361 about nine months ago. No problems with it, still has a nice draw. This model has the linnen also ...and the price was reasonable.
Willie
Here's the Fromm International "razors and strops"
webpage:
Razors & Strops
Unfortunately, there's not much info there....
Incidently, I've used an Illinois 827 for 20+ years, and
it's still doin' the job.
Cheers,
Paul
The Strop measures 2" X 20" and is actually two separate strops, one made of Prime Quality Leather, the second of "Barber's Best" Fine Weave Linen Finish. They are joined at the top by a removable Brass Plated Swiveling clamp and swivel. Both the leather and linen strops have Stitched Leather Handles. Ive been useing it for about four months now and its done a great job for me
Griz
Can you please let me know, which strops are the best except of Dovo and Thiers-Issard ? Which US companies make good strops ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Thank you
Straight Razor Designs, and Tony Miller hands down. But be warned! When I started giving mine names I realized that I had a really bad case of SAD.Quote:
Originally Posted by Unitouch
I just looked at your link and I don't think they own Illinois strap as they only sell one model-the 206 and there are many more than that,also the 206 is made very well,if there's a difference in the types of leather and the job they do than Id like some one to explain,no offence to Lynn's,which Id like to try as the 3 inches wide would make a BIG difference,and I'm sure he is a craftsman as anyone who puts his name on his product should be,but are they offered in different types of leather?Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffegg2
Click on strop and you will see the other five types listed under it. The website is not well built, perhaps that is why they don't sell many directly from their site.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzley1
Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23" W/HDL Russia: Health & Personal Care
This is the Illinois 827 on amazon.com for 35 bucks.
+1 on the SRD strops.
I have both the Premium I leather and Premium III (buffalo) and love them both. The nylon took me some getting used to, but it's great too.
I would advise starting with something cheaper until you have worked all the nicks out of your stropping! But when the time to step up comes, the SRD strops are excellent, plus replacement leather and fabric are easy to get and install.
Lynn who does make your strops?
I'm sure he buys SRD.
It takes time to learn how to correctly strop a straight razor. Use a newspaper attached to a paper clip. Practice flipping the razors direction. Count as you strop and don't go faster than you count. Be patient. Don't rush.