Thread: New to straights...old strop question

Can this be used and how?

I just picked up a straight from a local antique shop and it getting "shave ready" by Glen in VA. I also picked up this small (travel) paddle strop at the same time. It says Bay State Razor Strop Pat. July 17, 1883 and seems to be in pretty good condition. Has anyone seen one of these or know anything about it?looks like it had a handle that is no longer there. Do you think it can be used for now to maintain a blade? It is about 8 in. long. It has 2 sides that are black and look like they could be balsa wood. These sides are 1 1/4 in. wide. The other 2 sides are 1 in. wide. One is leather and the other looks like some very fine hone. The directions on the box say.....Use Black (i assume the wood) and Brown (i assume the leather) for general use. Hone to be used only when instrument is very dull. Always finish on Black side.

bump

I don't know of a reason not to use it if the leather is in good shape. I'm not sure what the different materials might be, but you would always want to finish before each shave on the plain leather. Be sure its not treated with an abrasive paste.

Jordan