Thread: Can I still use this old Barber's strop?

I have always liked the look of these, and picked one up on eBay. The leather seems to be in nice condition, though it is a bit curved on one side (it sort of arches up in the middle, so I have put a CD case between the wood and the leather, with heavy books on either side to straighten it out).

I don't know if this was ever used with pastes, but it doesn't look like it, and the leather still seems smooth.

Basically my 2 main issues are: How (if at all) can I clean the leather, just to get rid of any grime there may be; The leather is not very taught (please see picture), can I still use it, or does it have too much 'give' to maintain a straight?