Thread: Is this strop ruined?

Looks like the surface finish the maker put on has started to wear off. This is normal and this finish is really only intended to hold the strop in makers condition till it's sold. It has no bearing on the strop quality or ability.
Condition it with some saddle soap mixed to a very thick lather and leave till dry, then buff with the palm of your hand till smooth. You can use the pumice method as described before to get the same texture over the whole strop. This will remove the makers coating and smooth out the surface to a uniform texture. Because it is a Russian style leather, I would recommend you don't use oils on it but soap alone for conditioning. This is only my preference as I have found the soap produces a good draw and lubricant stopping the course nap being lifted.

PuFF

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

Because it is a Russian style leather, I would recommend you don't use oils on it but soap alone for conditioning. This is only my preference as I have found the soap produces a good draw and lubricant stopping the course nap being lifted.

PuFF

+ 1. Me too!!!

Originally Posted by Chimensch

I'm not quite sure I understand what you are saying. Is it OK to use it as is, or does it need to be smoothed?

I was just saying this is normal for an 827... a naturally rough finish that gets slightly rougher as it wears in. My point was that many guys put a lot of effort into making the 827 smooth when they may have been better with a 127. You choose (or not choose) the 827 because of this texture, not to make it into something it is not.

I used to sell Illinois strops and often paired a127 leather with an 827 leather on the same hanger. the 827 was left rough for initial stropping, the 127 being smooth was nice for finish stropping. It is fine the way it is.

Tony

You gotta take the rough with the smooth...

+1 on it looking normal. Maybe a little (very little bit) dry and in need of conditioning. My 827 is still my go to strop, I really like the draw. I wouldn't pumice it unless it is ruining blades, but I don't think it would be. The rough texture has a great draw as I said and I find I like it better for heavier blades as I feel more control over the stropping.

My vote is for a little neat's foot oil lovin'.

Keep us posted!

Originally Posted by Chimensch

Forget what the razor looks like ... what about my face?

Maybe a little neats foot will help that as well!

I bought some strop dressing at a knife shop here in Houston, I think its Dovo. Its a little tube with a yellow band around the outside. Would this be better, or worse (than neatsfoot oil) for a vintage strop? I have a older one that is dry, and has a few nicks in it, but otherwise, its a decent strop with a cloth back.

Originally Posted by Basher052

I bought some strop dressing at a knife shop here in Houston, I think its Dovo. Its a little tube with a yellow band around the outside.

That's the Dovo strop dressing. Basically a treated fat that won't go rancid. I love the draw I get from the stuff, but as with most dressings use way less than you think you need.

Based on the photo and your description the strop is fine. It's no less "ruined" than when you first got it. It just needs to be smoothed a bit and evened out as described in the other posts.