Dovo & Illinois Strops?

**JoePerri** · 06-11-2008, 12:54 PM

I've been using a really nice apprentice strop from Tony for the last few months. He even put really nice upgraded hardware on it for me. It is also the strop that I learned on and thus has a few nicks and cuts. (Tip - one martini is in fact one too many before stropping your razor.) I need a new strop and will pick up one of Tony's Artisan strops once he makes some more in a few weeks. In the mean time I thought I'd try a Dovo or Illinois strop for fun. What do people think of them? Are they good strops? Problems? Reviews? Any info would be helpful.

Thanks,
Joe

**joel** · 06-11-2008, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by JoePerri

I've been using a really nice apprentice strop from Tony for the last few months. He even put really nice upgraded hardware on it for me. It is also the strop that I learned on and thus has a few nicks and cuts. (Tip - one martini is in fact one too many before stropping your razor.) I need a new strop and will pick up one of Tony's Artisan strops once he makes some more in a few weeks. In the mean time I thought I'd try a Dovo or Illinois strop for fun. What do people think of them? Are they good strops? Problems? Reviews? Any info would be helpful.

Thanks,
Joe

The Dovo strops are pretty medeocre at best in my opinion and the illinois strops have never done much for me. If you want a damn good strop get a TI double sided paddle strop w/case and you have a 10 out of 10. Personally, they're my favorite paddle strops, the leather has a TON of draw (which I like) and it's quite light. Put a little green chrome on the "rough" leather side, and you've got a slick setup.... good enough to use as your only strop, and a killer travel strop setup, if traveling with a straight is your thang.

Why spend money on another hanging strop if you're just going to get a TM that'll render it worthless?

If you're hell bent on trying other strops though, I'll gladly sell you a used Dovo strop.

**kelbro** · 06-11-2008, 01:15 PM

My Illinois strops just fine.

**Swiftsteel** · 06-11-2008, 01:16 PM

I have tried both an illinois and dovo strop and neither of them are in the same league as the TM strop. I dont know about in america but the Tony miller strops were about the same price as the 2 inch illinois not including shipping (of course i have a good exchange rate on my side).
I agree with joel why waste your money on a dovo or illinois, because TM will most definatley render either of those strops worthless. Certainly wish i'd of known of TM strops from the off, would have saved me alot of cash.

Swiftsteel

**JoePerri** · 06-11-2008, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by joel

The Dovo strops are pretty medeocre at best in my opinion and the illinois strops have never done much for me. If you want a damn good strop get a TI double sided paddle strop w/case and you have a 10 out of 10. Personally, they're my favorite paddle strops, the leather has a TON of draw (which I like) and it's quite light. Put a little green chrome on the "rough" leather side, and you've got a slick setup.... good enough to use as your only strop, and a killer travel strop setup, if traveling with a straight is your thang.

Why spend money on another hanging strop if you're just going to get a TM that'll render it worthless?

If you're hell bent on trying other strops though, I'll gladly sell you a used Dovo strop.

I'm glad I asked then before picking one up.

Is this the TI your are talking about: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...44/2116703.htm

As to why I'd buy more strops than I need... well I clearly have a very strong acquisition disorder.

I just like to try things.

Thanks for the reply.

Joe

**JoePerri** · 06-11-2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Swiftsteel

I have tried both an illinois and dovo strop and neither of them are in the same league as the TM strop. I dont know about in america but the Tony miller strops were about the same price as the 2 inch illinois not including shipping (of course i have a good exchange rate on my side).
I agree with joel why waste your money on a dovo or illinois, because TM will most definatley render either of those strops worthless. Certainly wish i'd of known of TM strops from the off, would have saved me alot of cash.

Swiftsteel

I already have one TM strop and will get another. They are really nice. Tony is not going to have any of the standard Artisan strops for a few weeks though. I have been putting off getting an new one for too long and the Le Grelot has motivated to get something other than my nicked and cut strop in the meantime. Plus I though it would be good to have two strops. That way I have a backup in case something happens.

Joe

**mparker762** · 06-11-2008, 04:04 PM

Tony's strops are great aren't they. I've also got Dovo and Illinois and between the two I prefer the Dovo strops because I get better results out of their linen and I like the lighter draw from their leather. I've never had a problem with my Dovo strop curling though some guys have mentioned this.

**Swiftsteel** · 06-12-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by mparker762

Tony's strops are great aren't they. I've also got Dovo and Illinois and between the two I prefer the Dovo strops because I get better results out of their linen and I like the lighter draw from their leather. I've never had a problem with my Dovo strop curling though some guys have mentioned this.

I have to agree the linen on the dovo strops is much nicer than that of the illinois. Although i prefer the leather of the illinois. But thats just my personal preference.

Swiftsteel

**Limey** · 06-12-2008, 10:15 AM

Or try one of Tony's paddle strops for something different.

**JoePerri** · 06-12-2008, 02:42 PM

I must say, Tony is a great guy. He saw this thread and PM'ed me to let me know that he had a few odds and ends knocking about the shop and if I would let him know what I wanted he would put it together for me. Very nice of him. The upshot is that I have a new 3" Artisan w/ linen and a 4 sided paddle strop on order.

Thank you all for your help!

Joe

**Swiftsteel** · 06-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Nice choice thats exactly what i ordered from him perhaps a month or so ago. You won't be dissapointed.

Swiftsteel

**subrosa** · 06-12-2008, 03:13 PM

I own a cheapy Dovo and while it "works", I am glad I am nicking it and not my TM that is in mail

I am thinking of using the leather on my Dovo with a paste of some sort and the linen, but doing my main stropping on the TM starter.

**Maximilian** · 06-14-2008, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by JoePerri

I must say, Tony is a great guy. He saw this thread and PM'ed me to let me know that he had a few odds and ends knocking about the shop and if I would let him know what I wanted he would put it together for me. Very nice of him. The upshot is that I have a new 3" Artisan w/ linen and a 4 sided paddle strop on order.

Thank you all for your help!

Joe

Excellent customer service from Tony I would say.