Thread: Illinois #827 Strop

Hal,
Interesting post. Sounds like Fromm is saying the linen side does have an abrasive in it which now answers the question as to whether the linen side has any effect in sharpening.
They seem to be saying the leather side is simply more coarse than the top grain leathers like the #361 and others so this would be an intermediary strop.
The linen side of both my 827 and my 361 look identical and so did the 206 I sold so I wonder if all their linem strops have abrasive in them.

Tony

Funny you found that one Hal,
that was me. (my yahoo signin is jpfaster1, but I got tired of typing that and changed it for this forum) I am not positive I learned as much as I wanted from their email, but it does seem to be alittle abrasive. My reading of it implies that the leather itself is abrasive, not sure how abrasive the nylon (I think) strop is. Perhaps it is mostly to clean particles off the edge from honing(?) the purpose of the linen has for quite awhile been debated on here.
John P

John,
My read says the fabric strop is impregnated during the manufacturing process while the leather is described only as being rougher than the top grain leather.
Maybe I will try talking to Frommand get the scoop!

Tony

Tony,
Go for it, tell us what you find out. That email is what I got in response to my inquiries, and I definitely think the leather is rough, perhaps abrasive; the strop itself doesn't SEEM to be abrasive any more than a nylon strap from a lawn chair or something.
Let us know what they say, it would be interesting to know.
John P

I just talked with a marketing rep over at Fromm, the makers of Illinois Strops. Their comments on the #827 were that is simply a different style, a Russian style as opposed to the smoother ones were are familiar with. He said if one knows how to use it properly it is an excellent strop. I asked about abrasive on the leather and he described it a simply being rougher and the ridges on the back just being part of the different "style". It was described as not being as popular but people used to one prefer it. I suggested it was possibly an intermediary strop to be used between the linen and fine leather strops and he suggest that it would be most suited to removing nicks and dings from the edge which then put our whole conversation into perspective :roll: <g>.

I stand by the intermediary idea myself as there are old time barber strops with 2 pieces of leather and one linen. The two leather components being marked rough and finish.

So, the real use/design of the #827 remains a mystery until we find a long time user, barber, etc.... that is familiar with it.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I just talked with a marketing rep over at Fromm... and he suggest that it would be most suited to removing nicks and dings from the edge which then put our whole conversation into perspective :roll: <g>.

:lol: LOL :lol:
You just know that person graduated from some Business/marketing trade school, found a job that he could live with and that paid the bills and probably has never so much as touched a razor that wasn’t part of a sales demonstration.
I wonder if he could have put you in contact with a customer that is “used to it” and “familiar with it” and knows “how to use it” since it was obvious that he was none of those.

Just a note....

I purchased an 827 from Ray in Late Dec or early Jan. I wasn't sure what I needed.
My strop from when I was a teenager was long gone along with my Wade & Butcher razor (LOL)

I have the strop in usable shape now. It has taken a long time and a lot of work.

First I rubbed into it, Cocoa Butter (paste not cream) several times, with my hand. This was left to dry for a couple of days.
Then I used Olive Oil (on the recommendation of the retired Italian barber who used to shave me once a month)... the secret he said....
"fill a jar with hot water and rub the strop up and down on a flat surface."
"Eventually" he said, "the strop will be as smooth as your cheeks after I shaved you."
Then I was to let it sit for a week and let the Olive oil evaporate a bit.
Well, the strop works well, but I still want one with a finer/smoother grain.Got any suggestions??

It does what it is supposed to though, and I am glad I visited him.

regards to all,
- Gramps

Gramps,
For smooth strops you have lots of choices. I have the rough #827 and a smooth #361. The #361 is a style with no handles. The leather is the same width and thickness right to the end and you just hold it flat between thumb and fingers. It is so thick it really does not need handles. 24" long x 2.5" wide. I got mine at www.norvabarbersupply.com , $33.

Now if you want an identical match to the #827 you can get the #127 which is the same size but with the smooth leather. Ray at Classic shaving sells them.

Tony

Gramps,

If you're looking for a new classic style barber strop, the 361 would also be my choice. Dovo makes nice strops too. Unlike the 361, they don't require any conditioning. Dovo makes one wide 3" Russian strop, but most of what they offer are thinner and shorter (1 3/4" x 16") than the classic barber strops.

The other option would be to keep an eye out for one on ebay. My favorite strops are two that I won on ebay, a old Llama Brand and a Red Imp. Both are classic barber style strops and are made from thick pliable horsehide (2 1/2 " X 24). Both required quite a bit of reconditioning work, but were well worth the extra effort.

Thanks fellas,
I'll be looking around a bit, leaning toward the 361.

- Gramps