OK I'll hold back on the vaseline. I did try a light coating of olive oil a while back which resulted in a bad sharpening experience so I'll not try that again. I also noted from a comment made on another thread that Mink Oil may be an option. Anybody got an opinion about that?

Anyway I do feel as though this thread is moving in a positive way. So far it seems that clarified fat is winning so lard and dripping are possible strop conditioners.....