Hey everybody,

I'm looking around to buy my first strop. I want to spend as little as possible but I also want to buy one that will last a long time and provide lots of high quality stropping. I've been advised that I might want an Illinois 827. I have found these online (including some other Illinois numbered strops such as 127, etc.) but don't know anything about reputable websites for strops, razors, etc. I looked on whipped dog as well but only found the "poor man's strop" which is indeed cheap, but doesn't look like it will provide the kind of long term high quality performance I'm looking for. Also, it looks like some strops have canvas while others do not. Do I want this or not? Is there a particular size that I should be looking out for or are size differences only a matter of individual preference? So many choices!