Thread: Strop - 2 leather sides

Hi all,
I recently bought a strop that is leather on both sides
one side is gritty and the other is smooth (pics soon).

I was wanting to know whether I wasted my money on this.

INFO:
Its a Waverley. The gritty grey side has "CARBORUNDUM FILLED"
and "SHARPEN" stamped into it, while the smooth black side has
"FINISH" on it. The handle has "BROKE IN", "566" and "SUPER"
printed on it. Overall its 66cm long from hanger to the base of
the handle.

I know I'll need strop paste.
But apart from that I'm unsure on this strops use with blades.

Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks.

As far as strop paste is concerned, strop conditioning paste is fine, but the back of the strop already has carborundum (silicon carbide) imbedded in the strop. Don't paste that side. The front side, as long as it is smooth, should be fine for using for stropping your strop.

As far as wasting your money, well, we can't say. We don't know how much money you spent. I enjoy having old stuff that works. It's nice to have classic pieces, so if it's in fine condition, then I'd forget about the money and enjoy your new strop.

I've seen a few with leather on both sides, and owned one - it worked well. It had a gritty feel to one side, like yours - I think it was called a "Black Beauty" but I no longer have it to check the make.

Regards,
Neil

Thanks all,
I'll have to go and get some care strop paste.
As of yet i don't have a cheap razor to practise with.
I'll have to go hunting in antique stores around my area.

I have a half dozen vintage strops. I have never used any paste or conditioner on any of them. I rub them with the palm of my hand every so often which is a method I read about on these forums. So far so good.