Thread: Illinois Brand Strops

When I first started this journey I bought an Illinois 827 strop. I don't use this brand anymore simply because I think the leather is no where near the quality or effectiveness of strops from Lynn,Tony Miller a very select few others. Perhaps the higher priced Illinois strops are ok but I'm not inclined to find out.
The leather on the Illinois is very rough which in my view creates areas that are not effectively touched by the blade. The smoother leather called Latigo and Horsehide of course are superior in all respects. You get the sound that lets you know it's working well when you get a quality strop. This is one area of straight shaving you don't want to take shortcuts on.
How did I find out? I lucked into a leather strop from Scotland that was old but had a very smooth surface and had been well taken care of. The sound was different and made me wonder if it was working. When I shaved after using this one the light bulb went off and I realized why the other strop wasn't working and my blades were not as effectively made ready for shaving.
So, do yourself a favor and buy a good strop you won't be sorry!

Excellent point. Thank you for pointing out.

Thank you Sham:-)

Illinois Razor Strop Co. strops are actually very good strops, they've been making strops for over 100 years. You just have to know how to use them. I've found that most IRS strops need additional work. They are not always "shave ready" from the factory (sound familiar?). The strops from the other mentioned strop makers may have had all the work done at the factory, but then you pay that extra price. I have an IRS #361 (professional model) that was so-so out of the box. In fact it had a couple of factory defects. But after some simple breaking-in, I'd bet that this strop would rival any other strop out there - YMMV. The IRS #827 Russia is also a very good strop once you become accustomed to the odd textured stropping surface. As a side note, many of the better vintage strops, such as "Dubl Duck", and others, are actually IRS Co. manufactured and re-labled.

I have had an Illinois #127 for a while now, and I like it a lot. It took a bit of time to get used to, and just as honedright mentioned, there did seem to be a break-in period. But after a light sanding and a little strop conditioning this strop was working very nicely.

I have not tried a hanging strop from SRD or Tony Miller, so I admit that I cannot compare. But I am nonetheless very happy with my Illinois strop.

But I agree that a good strop is VERY important, so don't cheap out on quality.

Maybe mine was made at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon but the handle at the bottom wasn't even with the leather with it having been stitched with half an inch hanging over the end. It was just stitched crooked. Mine was also so rough if I had sanded it it would have taken a good while to get it smoothed enough to work right. Even with strop treatment little nibs of leather stuck up when it was used. I know IL. has been around for a long time and my barber has one but it looks like a completely different brand as far as quality is concerned.
I'll grant you any company will turn out a few bad ones from time to time but if that's the case it never should have passed inspection. As I said the higher numbered strops made of better leather(Russian maybe) may be good ones but why put out a product that is that roughly made. Oh yea mine is about 6 months old now. Maybe now I'll try sanding it.
That's just my experience with this one so I wish I had spent the extra money for one from Lynn or Tony Miller. Now I use the old Scottish and when it wears out pretty soon I'll go for one of the really proven ones.

Correction mine is an 827 not a 127.

Thanks for your opinions guys:-)

I've read that the Illinois #827 is a very rough looking strop, but it's supposed to be. I remember one thread (I have no idea what it is now, sorry) a while ago by someone who thought that they're new strop was terrible. It was also an Illinois #827. It's very different from other "smooth" strop IIRC.

I would refrain from sanding it and do a little more research on that particular strop, or Russian Leather strops in general. Hopefully someone who uses the Illinois #827 will speak up and give you advice as to better appreciate that strop.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...n-leather.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...-backside.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ian-strop.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ugh-strop.html

Phil if its an 827 it just needs a good breaking in, use the back of a table knife and go at it. The 827 is supposed to be different.

You know that's strange because on the website I purchased it from it made no mention of this one being different or special purpose. They just had a brief description not unlike the other ones. One thing I've noticed now that it's broken in is the ridges running across the front surface showing through from the back.