Illinois #127 Leather Razor Strop vs. Illinois #827 Russian Leather Razor Strop

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wacki

Joined
Sep 12, 2009
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319
The size is the same.

What's the diff? Just color?

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Illinois-127-Leather-Razor-Strop-P244C11.aspx?UserID=26775700&SessionID=ihrT3187tJ{Xr34hVuS5
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Illinois-827-Russian-Leather-Razor-Strop-P245C11.aspx?UserID=26775700&SessionID=ihrT3187tJ{Xr34hVuS5
 
The 'Russian Leather' process, I believe, is much more meticulous in prepping the leather for use as a strop, and I think they're known to perform better as a result. These ones are usually more expensive, for that reason.
 
wacki said:
any advantage of synthetic strops vs leather?
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Don't know about the synthetic strops. If referring to the one at the site linked in your earlier post, the following part (quoted below) of the description seems to imply the material is firmer, which may reduce the chances of rounding off an edge. BUT, the same could be accomplished with any firmer surface or substrate (like wood, for example). The 2nd half of the description quoted below sort of makes me wonder if performance is dependent on using aluminum oxide powder only, and not other abrasive types. May be a difference in how well other compounds embed or cling to the synthetic surface. If so, I don't think I'd be too impressed with it. Stropping can be done effectively on almost any smooth, flat surface (leather, wood, paper, fabric), so I don't see much advantage in spending money on a specialized strop of synthetic material. The high-grade leather strops (horsehide, 'Russian' leather) do have their own unique advantages (very dense silica content; they're at their best when used bare, without compound). But, otherwise I wouldn't be inclined to spend too much $$ on other materials, especially if used with compounds. Having said that, the only sure way to know if it's worth it, is to try it out.

"...The synthetic material is relatively hard so it can support the blade and produce a perfect edge. This strop was designed to work with the aluminum oxide powder..."
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I tried one once and hated it, not very effective and it feels like stropping on rubber.

I have a Illinois 992 Russia finish extra-soft, blows away any other strop I have ever used including those with micro abrasive compounds.
 
The term "Russian Leather" WAS a very important difference in strops that were made back in the 1800's through the early days of the 1900's. The process took several days of hand-working the tanned hides, pulling them back and forth over rounded ends of logs. This caused the silicates inside the hide to migrate to the surface. Today, there are NO tanneries that are making real 'Russian Leather.' It's too labor-intensive and not profitable today. The closest that you can get is leather that has been machine pounded for a minute or two, such as 'Cordovan' leather. The Horween Leather Company does produce a horsehide shell Cordovan that does make an excellent strop, but only one or two Barber strop suppliers use it, and those strops sell for closer to $100 each.

Real 'Russian Leather' strops are ALWAYS used without compounds. I have my Grandfather's old strop, Russian Leather, and it's still as good as the day it was bought.


Stitchawl
 
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