Thread: Strop Dressing

I recently got a pair of Red Wing leather work boots and was told that I should apply a protectant before I wear them for the first time. So I did a quick google search to find what made the best leather conditioner and there were a few times when it was mentioned that you should NOT use neatsfoot oil on your boots, as the oil will actually cause the leather to crack prematurely (this was said for a few other oils too...mink oil comes to mind). Naturally, I assumed this would be true of all leathers and it got me thinking of the use of neatsfoot oil on strops. The last thing we want is a cracking strop.

To be fair, it was said that this isn't a problem with PURE neatsfoot oil, however, most neatsfoot oil made nowadays is a pretroleum based concoction. This is what is harmful.

I'm also unsure of what timeframe would be required for one to experience this premature cracking.

Looking to start an intelligent discussion of strop dressings.

Originally Posted by edk442

I recently got a pair of Red Wing leather work boots and was told that I should apply a protectant before I wear them for the first time. So I did a quick google search to find what made the best leather conditioner and there were a few times when it was mentioned that you should NOT use neatsfoot oil on your boots, as the oil will actually cause the leather to crack prematurely (this was said for a few other oils too...mink oil comes to mind). Naturally, I assumed this would be true of all leathers and it got me thinking of the use of neatsfoot oil on strops. The last thing we want is a cracking strop.

To be fair, it was said that this isn't a problem with PURE neatsfoot oil, however, most neatsfoot oil made nowadays is a pretroleum based concoction. This is what is harmful.

I'm also unsure of what timeframe would be required for one to experience this premature cracking.

Looking to start an intelligent discussion of strop dressings.

Nothing here intelligent(no wise cracks) but I love Saddlesoap and Neats Foot it works great for me softens the leather keeps it healthy and adds just the right amount of draw

I would not suggest using Neat's Foot Oil on just everything. Some boots have leather that is already oiled...no problem. My Latigo strops already have oils and waxes added at tanning...again, no problem. Other materials....your guess is as good as mine.

I've got issues with Red Wing's anyway <g>. Only store I have ever been in where all the advice has been contrary to the norm. Nice boots though but I just don't like their sales style.

On strops I would avoid products with silicone and waterproofing materials. Neat's Foot Oil, Feilblings, etc... are fine on my products and we do use only 100% Neat's Foot Oil, not the blend.

Tony

I hike a lot and end up conditioning a fair number of leather boots. Personally, I won't use Neat's Foot on them because it softens the leather and lowers the support the boot offers. Something like a Nikwax boot treatment is probably the best option for boots.

Originally Posted by shotwell1234

I hike a lot and end up conditioning a fair number of leather boots. Personally, I won't use Neat's Foot on them because it softens the leather and lowers the support the boot offers. Something like a Nikwax boot treatment is probably the best option for boots.

Exactly! This is part of why I suggest guys use on of my strops a few weeks first. Over time the draw will develop, then, if one still wants it to have more friction of be more supple, then apply Neat's Foot Oil. Once soft it is not going back to being as firm as when new.

I do nothing to my own strops here at home, no dressing, just a rub with my hands.

Tony

I've found the best leather care products are made by Bickmore. They use no petrolium products or harsh chemicals. But for strops really less is the best. Maybe a little strop dressing or oil but only if the leather is dry.

I subscribe to the school of Leave Your Strop Alone. I don't put anthing on my strops. How they come from Tony Miller, Damon or classicshaving.com is how they remain.
Ernest

My house is dry as heck especially in the winter. So every so often, maybe twice a year, I see that my strop is drying out, even with the hand rub treatment. I just use a little of whatever Tony included with the strop I bought from him. It looks to be a lifetime supply.

I used neatsfoot oil on an old strop and was impartial to the results. I don't know if Tony still does it, but at one point I had a strop shipped with a small bottle of Lexol. I like it, and it's generally well spoken of. I also use it on my leather jacket, and I just found a store that carries it locally.

For the most part, I use the ol rub-strop-with-hand method, but in these dry winter months and a rotation of 4 (and soon to be 5) strops, i sometimes feel like the rub method is too little. A dab of Lexol gives me piece of mind.

What exactly is in Lexol?

As for my boots (this isn't strop related), I bought a container of Sno-Seal, which is beeswax based and seems to be highly regarded along with Nikwax. Haven't applied it yet so I don't have an opinion quite yet. I was thinking about Nikwax, but I'm kind of old fasjioned and prefer something you actually have to rub in rather than spray on (not sure if theres a Nikwax paste)

Tony, what were the issues you have with Red Wing? (for my own curiosity)

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

But for strops really less is the best.

YAY! Strops and boots are different animals. Strops do not spend time in the mud kicking things. So for your boots use the beeswax or Obenaufs or whatever but remember that old men call this "greasing your boots."

Strops do not require grease. They stay indoors and have specific use. The tannery went through a lot of effort to remove oil and fat from the leather, soaking it willy-nilly with whatever oil isn't necessarily improving it.