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