Thread: nicked Strop

Hi guys - I didn't want to start a new thread, so I thought I'd just tag onto Loochie's question. I just got my first strop today - second hand from ebay. It's a Dovo Best Russian Leather strop - I had just wanted a decent starter strop at a decent price (I mean, this isn't a Tony Miller strop by any stretch of the imagination, but you've got to start somewhere, right?).

Anyhow, when I got the strop I noticed that near the top and the bottom 2 inches, there are nicks in the leather like the guy turned the razor over on the blade side rather than the spine. A few of them have left a flap of leather, while others looked like the flap was removed.

So my question is will this strop still work? Is there any way to "re-condition" the strop? Take a DE razor blade and shave off the affected areas? Any suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks in advance guys!

Mark

Mark,
Welcome! Just use some sandpaper or a pumice stone and rub out the flap. Make sure that there's no residual sand on the strop and you're off to the races.

Thanks Dewey! Looks like I'll be sanding my strop tonight! Stupid question though, what grit would you recommend? 250? Higher?

Thanks for the welcome and the tips,

Mark

I don't think it matters too much. 250 should be able to smooth it pretty nicely, if you don't like it finish it with higher grit, but I don't think it's necessary.

Just thought I'd post an update - I sanded the strop the best I could using 250 grit sandpaper and a sanding block. I was really surprised with how much leather came off, and how it came off in very light little balls.

I sanded as much as I dared near the top and the bottom of the strop, and while not all the divots are out, they are appreciatively smaller and the razor isn't catching on any of them. I hope the depressions are not going to worsen the stropping effect on the razor though, and it doesn't seem like it would.

I rubbed the strop with my hands to try to "condition" the leather, and I think it worked a bit. I heard somewhere that you should rub your strop every time you go by to keep it conditioned.

I'll report back when my shave ready razor arrives.

Thanks again for the great advice!

Mark

Originally Posted by Milton Man

Just thought I'd post an update - I sanded the strop the best I could using 250 grit sandpaper and a sanding block. I was really surprised with how much leather came off, and how it came off in very light little balls.

I sanded as much as I dared near the top and the bottom of the strop, and while not all the divots are out, they are appreciatively smaller and the razor isn't catching on any of them. I hope the depressions are not going to worsen the stropping effect on the razor though, and it doesn't seem like it would.

I rubbed the strop with my hands to try to "condition" the leather, and I think it worked a bit. I heard somewhere that you should rub your strop every time you go by to keep it conditioned.

I'll report back when my shave ready razor arrives.

Thanks again for the great advice!

Mark

250 seems a little course, I have got good results using 1000 grit sandpaper; then again I have also heard of people using pumice stones successfully too and that would be very course as well. The strop should work fine either way. You might want to try finishing with a slightly higher grit damp sandpaper if you have any.

Thanks David,
I'll give that a try - I'll give it a once over and report back.

I used the 250 grit paper simply because my strop is a Dovo best Russian leather, but an ebay find. The seller, while he did say there was some "light wear" on the strop, it turned out to be something more akin to a teenager's acne covered face. I had just assumed I wasted my money and nothing to lose, so with the suggestion of those who know more than me (again, noob), I took the sandpaper to the strop. Came out pretty well, although the left and right edges on the top and bottom now look a little separated (striated?).

I'll give a damp 1000 grit wet/dry a go, and I'll report back.

Thanks again,

Mark