Thread: Is this normal?

I got me an Illinois strop company number 127 and the linen part is not soft, it is more like a plastic stripe, with no exagerations, it is hard just like a milk plastic container. I called the placed where I got it from and they said to me "Different manufactures use different materials" It is obviously made out of fabric but it is tight. The leather is softer than the linen side.
Is this normal and can I use this linen side on my straight razors? Thank you.

Sounds normal to me. Photo might help. There are some linen, nylon, canvas strops that aren't soft at all.

Yup, sounds normal..that's what my Illinois has

When stropping do you use it just like a soft one? Tuco and Pringr, thank you for answering.

It's perfectly normal, and yes use it just like you would true linen.

True linen can be like cardboard. It depends on the finish.

Sounds like the standard Illinois linen. Very stiff but will break in a bit but will still be pretty stiff. I have a vintage true linen that would be just as stiff.

I've got the 127, but second-hand. The linen had gone quite limp, so after scrubbing it clean, I stiffened it back up with bee's wax. Love that stiff linen!

Yep about right but I think they have a paste or something in them also that stiffens them up more

Don't know about pastes but are meant to br impregnated with zinc oxide.