Thread: Nicked strop :-(

So...

For MONTHS I went without nicking a strop. Lately I've been practicing trying to build speed. Well... I built a lot of speed. But also slashed my strop... Anything I can do to mitigate it or is there just a patch that doesn't work now? For the record its like I shaved the surface, I didn't actually cut into it.

Then you got lucky man. I filet'd (sp?) mine a good few times already...Knew I shoulda got a cheaper one.

Originally Posted by khaos

Anything I can do to mitigate it or is there just a patch that doesn't work now? For the record its like I shaved the surface, I didn't actually cut into it.

I had that problem, too, and followed the forum advice to use a pumice stone (high grit sandpaper was also recommended). It worked for me.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I had that problem, too, and followed the forum advice to use a pumice stone (high grit sandpaper was also recommended). It worked for me.

For future reference, if sandpaper is used, how high of a grit would be 'high grit'? Dry and not wet, I assume but correct me if that's wrong.

Just be glad it wasn't a Kanayama 90000.

Originally Posted by ionthejester

For future reference, if sandpaper is used, how high of a grit would be 'high grit'? Dry and not wet, I assume but correct me if that's wrong.

Memory did not serve me right, but google did:

Nicked Strop? - Straight Razor Place Forums
You can smooth out your strop by sanding down the nicks with a 150grit sandpaper or a pumice stone. Then run your hand over the strop to see if you feel anything might affect the razor.

I also found this remark interesting:

Damaged, nicked, & cut strop repair, salvage, or restoration - Straight Razor Place Forums
A few tiny hollows in a strop will not hurt things. Ideally it should be flat and true over it's entire length and width but we are dealing with an organic material that will change daily with humidity and use.

Hi all,

I tried using a glass bottle once to flatten out my strop and carved several lines, the length of my strop, into it. I used it that way for almost a year because I didn't have time to sand it down by hand and it stropped my edges well enough. But I did need to send my razors back to the norton 8k every 8 - 12 weeks. Recently, i got a sander and refinished the whole strop and it draws better than new. So don't worry just sand it!

Cheers!

The pumice stone trick worked pretty well, finished it off with 2000 grit stand paper and a wee bit of Japanese choji.

Also I realized Vintage Blades sells replacement leather parts for half the cost of a new strop.