Thread: How do I learn the history of my strops? Illinois 507 and 963

I got a couple of genuine horsehide strops from John Crowley.

They are quite intriguing.

Both were made by the Illinois Razor Strop Company.

One has the #507 and the other #963.

Is there a way I can find out more information about these strops like what year they were in production, and any availible info?

I'm hoping there is an online strop museam or sumthin.

No I don't think there is a strop museum anywhere but you may run into someone who specializes in collecting them and maybe they can help you. Unfortunately strops like razors don't have any serial numbers on them so the numbers are just models and they could have been produced during a very wide period in history. Sometimes little clues can point you to the right direction. Things like if the strop has metal hardware is it solid brass or plate of painted metal and the thickness of the strop and type of leather used. Good Luck your adventure is just beginning.

Here's a start for you. The Illinois Razor Strop Company started making and selling strops in 1907.

Scott

You may want to ask Tony Miller, he is a regular here. He sold that brand for a while.

Yes, you should definatly ask Tony Miller. I bought an Illinois #827 strop which I had concerns about because of the texture, and he knew exactly what I was talking about and was able to tell me about it. Apparently its sort of a speciatly strop... not quite a typical strop. So I would definatly ask Tony if I had any strop questions

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence, BUT, I really don't know much about older Illinois Strops. They (Fromm) are not forthcoming with info and everything I know about the new ones was from trial and a good amount of error <g>.
I'm sure somewhere out there exists some old catalogs which could help but who now when anything like that could turn up.

The modern ones are all cowhide but still keep the tradional horsehead logo (as do my own) and the numbers for the most part designate the different widths and lengths, handle types, etc.... Most are very simnilar except the #827 which is their Russian strop with the coarse texture.

Sorry I cannot be of more help.

Tony