Thread: Sanding My Strops

It can certainly give a strop a new lease of life. I usually start at 600 and finish with 1000, but I use well-worked diamond plates (paranoid about particles being left behind). If you dont have a plate, wet'n'dry sandpaper is much better than ordinary sandpaper - it leaves a lot less particles behind. Even so, on the odd occasion I have used wet'n'dry, I have used sheets that have already been used on another job - most of the looser particles have already fallen off by that point.

Regards,
Neil

Personally, I believe a strop has a certain life and that is it. I have cleaned many dozens of strops with saddle soap and water as well as sanded from 400 grit to 1000 grit and wiped between each grit with a damp cloth. A lot of times, the strop when clean will break back in with simple hand rubbing over a few days, although sometimes a small amount of neatsfoot oil helps. The key for me is what does the razor look like under the microscope after I have redone the strop. Am I seeing little sparklies at the edge or a crisp nice edge line. So long as a nice crisp edge line, we're in business.

Have fun.

yeah its just kinda dried out looking now. Some leather also cracked after cleaning it.

Hi WhiskerBiscuit!!

I missed this one for the longest time, glad you bumped it, cuz I have some input too!!

I still have my original (first ever) strop, and use it every day. It has slice marks and dark edges and missing chunks all over it. Each time I've wounded it, I have sanded just the affected areas with 600 grit, then finished it with Fromme's dressing. Then after @ 24 hours, I worked it with my hands, wash it and re-apply some more dressing. This second app I quickly wipe off with a dry soft cloth. Between these 2 applications and the constant wiping with the soft dry cloth, I don't believe (note the 'I don't believe') there were ever any particles left over. I always rub my strop down with my hands before each use anyway, just in case there are razor particles left over that might have come off an edge during the prior use. I am a little paranoid about something ruining my edges that I'm not prepared for.

I have never sanded the whole strop, even tho I have a DMT, so I might try that next on the whole strop and see if it gives a good result. Again, I'm a little paranoid about ruining it, so I might be really, really gentle first try.

Great posts, excellent question and SHAVE ON DUDES!!!

Mike