Thanks for this post Neil. You are a wealth of information...and a valuable asset to this site!
Having read your post, I now believe that the working edge of this little tool is probably some form of lead containing pewter. The Patent mark in the side of the 'Strop-Aide' shows a Date of Aug. 4, 1906.
Perhaps ( and this is pure conjecture on my part ) the Griffon Cutlery Co. starting manufacturing/distributing these 'tools' based in part on the information from these publications that you have referenced? The dates certainly seem to coincide with the Patent Date... :shrug:
It is an interesting bit of history about our hobby, and now I am glad I was lucky enough to find this little 'piece of history'!
Next step for me (since at my age I'm not too worried about Lead Poisoning ... :rofl2: ) is to grab a strop, follow the instructions you've posted above, and see what happens. I have a perfect older but very serviceable Illinois model 127 leather and linen combo strop and a razor that is due for a touch up on the hone that I can use for my 'experiment'.
I am actually kind of excited about it now... :D
I knew you would have the answer... :beer1:
Thanks
WP34