Thread: I dropped my Strop in the bath!!!

It's dry now but I'm not sure if using it might be bad for my blades. The canvas side seems alright but the leather side is slightly warped. Not terribly though. It didn't get too wet as it was only in there for a second or two (I dived to save it like a drowning child) and i towel dried it before letting it air dry slowly.

For the cost of a new strop (and this isn't anything too special), should I save myself the risk and just get a new one or am I being overly cautious?

That will teach you to shave in the bath.......hahahahahaha

You might try a couple of applications of some mink oil after it thoroughly dries out.

Good Luck.

Lynn

Now I just have to try mink oil. Honestly, I wasn't shaving in the bath - I was just carrying my strop to put it on a hook, stumbled a bit and it went in. Still not sure exactly how! I think the main problem at the moment is that I can't really get the leather surface completely flat so that the whole surface of the blade doesn't make contact.

Reminds me of a bad old joke that had a drunk, his harelipped son and a mule...

"What's my strop doing in the bathtub????"


"It's taking a bath, you dumb SOB"

/I'll be here all week

Try this...If the strop can be taken apart (if it is a two piece strop that is held together with a brass clip and screw,) do that first. Then use a GOOD leather dressing. I like neatsfoot oil, or Aussie Leather Conditioner. Apply a minimal amount to the GRAIN (smooth) side of the strop. DO NOT 'soak' the strop with the 'oil.' Lay it grain side up on a workbench, or similar large smooth surface. Place a piece of saran wrap (smoothed out,) on the surface of the leather and then put a board on top of that. The board should be something like a piece of pine shelving, smooth, flat and larger than the strop. On top of the board, put a couple of bricks, some books, or some other objects that have enough weight to flatten the strop. Leave it like this overnight.
Don't worry about the leather having a mottled, or splotchy appearance at first. In a few hours, it will look fine. As the oil is absorbed into the leather, it takes on a uniform appearance.

Originally Posted by Brother Jeeter

The board should be something like a piece of pine shelving, smooth, flat and larger than the strop. On top of the board, put a couple of bricks, some books, or some other objects that have enough weight to flatten the strop. Leave it like this overnight.

Not from personal experience of course...

But also a nice wide straight ruler as long or longer will work. Placing the strop on a flat table (not your wifes table she inherited from her Grand Mother) like a glass or marble top to avoid staining.
Flatten it down (you might have to reshape it a bit side to side to get it aligned again) and put the ruler (or really smooth board) on top. I'm not with putting too much weight on it [books, bricks], those could leave some imprinting on the leather when dried with the board or ruler.
I've got these little marble coasters for drinks that put a very light, but firm pressure just enough to keep the strop from curling up while it's drying (that is what we're shooting for here). I'm not sure if I would use any oil on it until it's throughly dried (like Lynn said). You don't want to trap moisture in the leather. That could cause it to rot out (see eBay for example photos... ).