Pike Mfg Strop...strop experts please

I have an old Pike Mfg. strop #620 that is far and away my favorite, in spite of the fact that the finish shell side is a bit thinner that I would like. My question involve the other strap, (the 'sharpen') part. I wonder if anyone here knows what material it is made of, or how it was made. All my other strops have either a linen or leather back-strop.

From an appearance and texture perspective, it looks like a black rubber coating with tiny little nodules fused to a basic cowhide strap. In the middle of the strop, the nodules are wearing away. (as I said, it is old). One of My concerns is that these will wear eventually away and become ineffective; but more i am curious about the process to produce these.

Does anyone here know? I can only speculate that the black substance contains the carbo-stuff that Pike made famous in their hones, but that is just speculation on my part.

I'm not familiar with the particular strop but from what you describe its undoubtedly an abrasive. Its not the type of strop I would be using everyday. Think of it like a pasted strop. The only question is what is the grit in the abrasive so you'll know what its doing to your razor.

You can always use it on your practice razor and see what happens.

If it's anything like my strop (it has the same type of backing but it's gray) I would't use it on a good blade first. Mine took a slightly dull blade and turned it into a butter knife:rant:

So It's history and I have one of Tony's on the way:y

Actually, I have been using it as I said, with great results. I use a variety of razors, both stainless and carbon, and have noticed no ill effects from it. As a matter of fact, Ill be purchasing another the first reasonable chance I get.

I was just wondering if anyone knew the process used to make these, or the material used.