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I've read about people using oils or conditioners on their strops. I recently made my own strop from some leather from tandy's, anyone have a secret recipe for a conditioner I should put together, or know one they like that I should get?
And how often should I re-apply it?
As long as the strop is soft and supple there is no need to use anything. If it starts to dry out there are several products you can use. There's fromm strop dressing,Lexol conditioner, Bick conditioner or you can just use the oil in your hands and work it into the strop. There are also many types of oils just stay away from things that could go rancid or contain petrolium byproducts that could dry things out.
If you have the plain pink veg tanned leather it tends to be very dry. Thats because its really for tooling not using, after tooling it would then be treated to condition it. I would recommend Neats foot oil for treating the strop, this will turn it kind of yellowish though but it really improves the draw. You could also use Lexoil which is part neats foot and get a slightly different effect. Or mink oil, or even Murphy's oil soap used on the strop straight, each treatment gives the leather a little different feel, draw level, and look.
I don't know exactly what each product does on some sort of draw scale or anything, I've only made a stropping surface using neats foot. I only know of the others because, well, I tool leather. Using it for its intended purpose so to speak.
If you bought the Latigo, its already well oiled and ready to go.
It should be re-applied when the leather dries out again. I've only needed to twice a year. Even then very sparingly and that in a very dry house.
Alright, how much do I use? Do I let it soak through, or just apply enough to get the surface wet?
Also, do the back side of the leather as well?
Which product?
+ 1 to what's already been said. Also, don't ever use Linseed (flax) oil. I've found the yellow Dovo strop paste is good also. I use as little as is necessary to cover the surface, and then rub it in well.
James
^^ all of them. I will more than likely get the neats foot. I have a tandy thats not too terribly far away, this wouldnt happen to be something I can pick up at a store that isn't specific to leather? Maybe lowe's or home depot?
You use as little of the product (no matter what the product is) as you have to to get coverage. You never want to saturate the leather. A very little goes a long way. You just work it in real good then let it sit 24 hours and your good to go.
If you get Tandys pure neetsfoot oil you will want to apply it with a wool dauber (they are cheap at tandy). On the Pink dry leather you will want to wet the entire surface with the oil and rub it in really well then wipe off any excess. I also lightly do the back more for waterproofing than conditioning. If it becomes to wet you might have to wait a long time for it to dry out again. You want it to be somewhat stiff yet smooth and supple. right now it is really stiff and fairly inflexible.Quote:
Originally Posted by marosell
Tandy actually carries just about all of the above product save the strop conditioner.