Illinois strop #32. Know anything about it?

[HokieGeek]

Hello gents! I bought this a while ago at an antique shop for $15. I figured I would use it as a entry into 'restoring' a strop. It was in decent condition already so it spruced up nicely. I can't find my information about it. It says 'hone on this side' on the 'brown' side but the 'black' strop behind that doesn't seem to be all that more abrasive.

So, my questions:

1. Does anybody know when model #32 was manufactured?
2. What is the reputation of this company?
3. What is the material of the black side? Is it meant to be a more abrasive side, like a canvas strop?

Thanks!

 

[danjared]

The sharpening side likely had an abrasive paste applied to it.

 

[HokieGeek]

The sharpening side likely had an abrasive paste applied to it.

That was my thought as well. My strops have a canvas strop (other than my Filly starter, which had an abrasive on the back) so I don't have a lot of experience with this style. Now, here's a thought: When I first got it, I assumed the black side was the 'back' of the strop and that one would have the abrasive. But what I consider the front of the strop - the brown strop with the handle that has the writing - says 'hone on this side', which leads me to believe that's the side that had the abrasive.

Perhaps I'm misreading or over-thinking this?

 

[danjared]

The side that indicates to hone on it strikes me as the one most likely to have had any abrasive on it. The color doesn't mean much since tanning and dying affect the color. Just look at the front and back sides of the handles.

Now, what I find very interesting is the logo. Just replace Illinois and Chicago with Kanayama and Tokyo.