Printable View
I'm still pretty new to straight shaving and while "refining" my stroping technique I have created a few nicks in my strop. I assume these nicks affect the razor negatively so I'm wondering what I can do to renew my strop? The nicks are close to the ends of the strop so for the time being I've been trying to just strop between them but it's a pretty short pass now. I'm hoping the strop isn't ruined.
I sanded the nicks out of my strop with 1500 grit sand paper then applied a wee bit of neatsfoot oil.
jayb11175,
+1 on SuperSpeedRacer's post :)
I use 600 grit silicon carbide wet& dry paper, followed by 1200. A little rub with a tiny amount of neatsfoot oil, and the job is done.
Any 'flaps' cut in the surface can be glued down (I have used super glue), then sanded as above.
My first strop was nick-named 'ScarFace', so you can imagine that it had quite a hard life !! :)
Good luck !
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
I'm in the same boat as Jay as I have a latigo leather strop that has some nicks in it. You guys recommend using neatsfoot oil, but I was wondering if mineral oil would do the trick? I use mineral oil regular on scale materails (horn and wood) to get a nice shine and to protect them from water.
I used to save 'em in a cigar box, then mail 'em to Stevie Nicks. Last time, she sent 'em back... said she's not into leather, anymore.Quote:
What to do With Strop Nicks?
Neatsfoot oil is the natural oil for leather. That i'm sure of. I use it on all my leather and on the pivots and blades of SR's (never a chance of contamination of any strop yo) I also use tallow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bordee
I have no idea about this mineral oil. Maybe a little dab won't cause any probs. I'm sure there's a wiki where you can look at the molecular structures and normal uses.
I ignore the Nicks, doesn't seem to bother them.;)
I've used "New skin" a liquid band aid with great results. Flip the nick back apply "New skin" press it back in place. I have two nick's on my strop, you need to look close to see them and I don't detect them while stropping. Maybe worth a shot before sanding them out.
Hea guys what about MINK OIL?
aren't there many threads in the section discussing oils, compounds, goos, and treatments for stropping leather?
I thought this one was all about Stevie?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...il-strops.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...questions.html
I abhor using sandpaper or pumice stones.Sandpaper wears out as will pumice stones.Where to those particles Go?
I think they may get embeded in your strop,not a good thing I think.
I found the best way to smooth a strop is using a DMT 325 (well used) drop dead flat surface.
Thanks for the tips all, never heard of neatsfoot oil before. Is it something I can pick up at a store or Amazon? Does it go by any other names? I have some generic strop treatment oil, do you think it's the same stuff?
Do you have to sand nicks out? I'm still using my first strop and it has a few abrasions, I would stop short of calling them cuts. I don't feel them when I strop, so should I be concerned about removing them?
You can get it on Amazon. A lot of people use it to condition baseball gloves.Quote:
Originally Posted by jayb11175
I use mink oil in a can. I rub just enough on my hands to make them look a lil oily and then I rub my palm on the strop. Softens it right up without all the fuss and possibility of overdoing it. (Only drawback is my hands turn smooth and I can't use them to lap my guangxi stone anymore.)
Neatsfoot oil you may find in your local farm supply. If you have a generic strop treatment why don't you use it first, is it Fromm?
And maybe I missed it but I thought you were having issues with nicks in your strop? Also did anyone mention using the palm of your hand to rub the leather? I do this every time before I strop, keeps the leather nice.
I would ignore them, if you can't feel them passing under the blade then what possible affect could they have?Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne1963
That's what I do.
Oh wait I said that already. :deadhorse:
You use your palm for Palm Stropping the blade. You don't want to make it too smooth with all the mink oil and horse stuff!Quote:
Originally Posted by Trimmy72
(Your palm)
I guess I wasn't clear, Either use neatsfoot OR the generic strop dressing to bring it back if it's dry. OR use the palm of your hand on the leather to maintain it. I've heard of palm stropping but this isn't what I meant. I run my palm back and forth on the leather of my strop. I know it's been discussed somewhere on here before so nothing newQuote:
Originally Posted by Johnus
You can usually find Neatsfoot Oil (Prime Neatsfoot Oil) at saddle and tack stores, farm stores, and maybe Wal-Mart (or similar), or a leather crafting/supply shop. You should be able to find it locally unless you are in a tiny remote place (or maybe in the middle of a big city). You might find some in a shoe care section in a department store. Definitely keep some around if you any leather items.Quote:
Originally Posted by jayb11175
Lexol has lanolin and other stuff in it. Works great on saddles and tack - not sure about a strop. Might soften it too much.
heard about this stuff ,have been using mink oil paste at this point.Will have to to look for it soon.