Old strop - is it usable

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post after my intro. I have completed one shave, so I have everything I need, except maybe a good strop. I got an old used one, which I would not have otherwise done had I discovered this site first. Anyway, I have restored it as best I can and I'm not sure if it is usable or not. I suspect the answer will be to get a new one, if you can even tell from my mediocre photos.

Let's see if I can figure out how to post some before and after photos...

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I didn't think to take before photos until after I had started sanding, but I didn't get too far when I remembered. I also never took a before pic of the linen.

I did a light sanding until the surface was relatively flat and smooth, but there are a couple of deeper grooves that I couldn't address. After sanding, I cleaned it with saddle soap and oiled it with Neatsfoot oil. The next day I hit it with mink oil. For the next couple of days I hand rubbed and "massaged" it. I tried to strop with it yesterday before my shave, but it was difficult to pull the razor across the surface, even with very light pressure. Maybe I need give the oils more time?

So, here are some pics of what it looks like now:

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I tried to capture some of the worst spots in the photos. Nothing stands proud of the surface, and nothing catches when I pull the razor across, but I don't know if I'm doing more harm to the razor than good, or just not doing any good at all.

So, what do you think? Should I just get a new strop?

Thanks for looking.

Looks OK.
I would test and worry it with an old razor. One of my kitchen knives has
a nice clean and straight back that I use to worry a strop from time to time.
I have applied too much strop dressing in the past and scraping it off with
that kitchen knife works for me. I have other kitchen knives that do not
work so one size does not fit all.

Do wipe the razor with a pinch of TP-tissue to remove any cruft I see.

It looks just as good, if not better, as my well used strops! I think it will work fine.

Thanks for the replies.

From the context, I can guess, but to be sure, what do "worry" and "cruft" mean? I searched, but couldn't find an answer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vanacres

Thanks for the replies.

From the context, I can guess, but to be sure, what do "worry" and "cruft" mean? I searched, but couldn't find an answer.

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I never heard those terms either.
It looks like you have done a good job. I could recommend rubbing it with your palm before and after stropping.
Just use it. Should not hurt a thing

Looks good enough to use until you get around to replacing it with something new.
If you feel the dressing on the leather, I was told newspaper helps to take off the excess. Just rub it a bunch. I've never done this with newspaper because I was afraid of the ink getting on my strop.
I'd give it a few weeks to soak in all the dressing you have used on it. But if its not slick or too much dressing then go for it. The dressing can cause a bit more draw. But after its worked in or off then it should mellow out a bit. Sharptonn knows strops more than me so if he said its good then you are in good hands.

Good job on restoring and old strop!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vanacres

I did a light sanding until the surface was relatively flat and smooth, but there are a couple of deeper grooves that I couldn't address. After sanding, I cleaned it with saddle soap and oiled it with Neatsfoot oil. The next day I hit it with mink oil. For the next couple of days I hand rubbed and "massaged" it. I tried to strop with it yesterday before my shave, but it was difficult to pull the razor across the surface, even with very light pressure. Maybe I need give the oils more time?

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Sounds like you used too much oil. You should have tested it after the saddle soap.
Thread here with lots of advice that may help :
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...atsfoot-3.html

I can't speak to the draw, but those "after" photos look very nice! As you are just starting out, it's hard to tell if you've used too much oil, or if it's just that you're not used to stropping. The draw can be very different from strop to strop. Leaving it out in the air to cure wouldn't hurt in any case. Good luck with it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

Sounds like you used too much oil. You should have tested it after the saddle soap.
Thread here with lots of advice that may help :
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...atsfoot-3.html

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I think I probably did use a little too much oil. Certainly not as much as the guy in that thread, ha! I just tried stropping on it again, and the draw seems a bit better today. I probably won't shave again until next weekend, so maybe by then it will be even better.

Thanks much for the reply.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vanacres

Thanks for the replies.

From the context, I can guess, but to be sure, what do "worry" and "cruft" mean? I searched, but couldn't find an answer.

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As far as I know, worry and cruft are common use words in the UK. Worry as in "strop with a razor you are not concerned with, to test the strop first, just in case".

cruft = crud... dirt.... pocket lint etc.

And yes, it appears you may have been a bit heavy with the oils, which would cause excessive draw.... just a few drops is all it needs normally.

Regards

Christian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vanacres

Thanks for the replies.

From the context, I can guess, but to be sure, what do "worry" and "cruft" mean? I searched, but couldn't find an answer.

---

Worry: Has too many definitions so sorry for the confusion.
c : to touch or disturb something repeatedly
2.2 worry at Pull at or fiddle with repeatedly. ‘he began to worry at the knot in the cord’

I intended it to be rub and use the surface over and over until it has calmed down. Play with it.

Cruft:
1. Trash, debris, or other unwanted matter that accumulates over time.

I have a strop that has been acting up so I took it into the shower and worried it
with a toothbrush and soap, rinsing it to remove the cruft. I have one of those
Hones of unknown grit and have been worrying it with a bit of tile sometimes and
steel other times to polish the surface because the DMT I used to flatten it left
a terrible textured surface that micro chipped razors it might or might calm down
if I work/worry it enough. This is something my dad used to say. Fiddling with it
to get it apart or to fit.

I use Ballistol to treat all my strops & reall all my leather except suede. Also it is great for so many things in your shop. check it out a ballistol.com
What leather is it made of?
Slawman

I hope the original thread starter @vanacres see's this but it can help out anybody in a similar situation.
The method that worked for me was instead of newspaper(but similar) I used the packaging material that Chewy uses to ship their pet products. Sort of like a thin butcher paper. It is raw with no added colors and thinner than regular butcher paper. Crumpled up and rubbed on the strop for a few minutes, until I could not get any more oil off the strop.
Then with a cotton or microfiber cloth that is damp with plain water. I evenly applied the moisture on the strop(you can see it change color)until it was all the same color. You let it dry completly and repeat doing this (two to four times in my case) until you have your desired draw. Checking each time with your razor or hand but I found that the razor is a better indicator that you are done.
What I learned is that the water pushes the oil deeper in the leather. So it actually does two good thing in that it pushes the oil in deeper in the leather(or shell,horse hide, etc) making it more supple and give you the desired draw on the surface of your strop.
I found this method on accident from a saddle maker when I was asking him how to rejuvinate a old dry dog collar with thick leather that I could tell that the oil was sitting onthe top and not penatratig like how I thought it should. He told me to use a damp rag to push the oil in deeper to the middle and not sit on the surface making it a dust magnet. Worked like a charm.
On my first vintage strop I applied a little to much oil and I remebered about this method after trying a few others. I did this twice and found that the draw was less each time I did it until I got to a nice fast draw. Worked for me I hope it works for anyone in a similar situation!