New to this I have purchased two strops. One is an Illinois #827 with Fromm strop dressing. The other is a Dovo 29"x2" (wish I had purchased the extra wide 23"x3 1/4") and Dovo paste. My intent was to put strop dressing on one strop and yellow paste on the other strop for comparison, but my nephew spilled the strop dressing so to not waste I ended up with dressing on both strops. My questions are;

1. Both strops are advertised as being made from Russial Leather, but they are not even similar. The Dovo strop is flat, smooth and velvety, and the Illinois strop is irregular (almost like pebble grain leather), course and hard to the touch. What is the deal? Please share your thoughts and experience.

2. What is the difference between strop dressing and yellow paste? Is there an advantage of one over the other.

Thanks guys,