Thread: Illinois #827 Strop

Tony, I am familiar with the #361 as one of my several strops is a #361. The linen side is a little too stiff and coarse for my prferance, but it is a very good strop. I agree the leather is a little stiff and so I treated the back side with neatsfoot oil, which limbered it up quite a bit. I also have and sell a "no Name" strop that the leather is from Keith at HandAmerican and I really can't see much difference between that and the #361 as far as results go, except that the Handamerican leather strop is a little smoother, (glassier) and therefore provides a slightly smoother (keener) finished edge and therefore, I prefer to use this strop more than the #361.

Bob Keyes.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I was wondering if the Illinois #827 strop has a specialized use. I just got one today from Bowman Beauty at a bargain price. The leather is a somewhat coarse texture yet smooth finish on the business side and has ridges cut or embossed into the back which makes it very flexable. The linen side is pretty standard fare.
In contrast my new Illinois #361 from Norva Barber Supply (another bargain) is a smoother finish, very thick and very stiff.

Anyone familiar with this one?

Tony Miller

www.bowmanbeauty.com
www.norvabarbersupply.com

I have read lots of posts here and on the Yahoo branch about softening up a strop. I guess I am puzzled. Everyone feels they are too stiff when new so they work them over until limber and soft then they work hard to pull them taught and stiff when stropping so they are not limber......what am I missing here <g>.

Tony