Thread: FAIR TRADE RAZORS; straight razors from India

Originally Posted by wr1l

I'm not sure if the baking soda will be harmfull.

With vinegar or something?

I (still) would like to know if:
I could make my own strop on a board?
If it's wise to get a vintage strop on a board somewhere?
And, if all strops are made with leather?

I'm not sure about the baking soda either. I've heard the it is used in japanese sharpening to halt rusting, but I have no idea what a prolonged soak would do. As a experiment I immersed one breaten up razor to a sanitizing liquid which had some 40% water and it began form rust blooms in 20 minutes.

I've read that vinegar would be used to darken the blade with patina rather than clean it. Since it is acidic (one site reported ~2.4ph) it will facilitate further oxidation, but this might or might not be easier to remove. I have no own experiences.

I don't see what could stop you making your own paddle strop. Just make sure the substrate you attach the leather is flat and the leather feels ok.

There are also synthetic strops available, which are meant to replace leather, but mainly finishing strops are leather. The linen/fabric strops are meant to be used in conjunction with leather finishing strop, i think.