Thread: Vintage paddle strop

Hi guys!

I just got a vintage paddle stop i wanted to show you..
It says "Velvet" on the box and it was made by Heljestrand Eskilstuna Sweden.

I am a bit confused by the black side of the strop, feels really smooth, almost like a combination of plastic and rubber..Any ideas what it might be?It is only black on the top, under the black stuff is leather, some kind of treated leather?

I've got some Thiers Issard paste, witch side of the strop do you guys think i should use?


//Victor

Did you ever figure out what the black side was?

Nice strop!
In my opinion you shouldn't apply any paste just yet. I'd try out the strop - both sides of the strop - and try to figure out what was the result of stropping on the black thing. Then, if the results wouldn't please me I'd think about a paste to apply.
By the way, what's the condition of the leather? Is it good? Any flaws that might need some mending? The strop looks to be in great condition. Congrats on that find!

I think it's some kind of treated leather,it feels smoother than the leatherside..
The leather is flawless and I use it before every shave,can't feel any difference when I use the black side..

I can't help you out in terms of what kind of leather, or which side to use for pasting...But I just wanted to say congratulations on a great looking vintage paddle strop! That's something I would like to get my hands on one day. Where did you get it from, an antique store?? Would you mind picking up another one for me?

Dave

very nice find

Today at our gettogether, ScottS was looking at a strop that had two different leathers on it. He said that sometimes strops had two different leathers and one is smoother than the other because it is supposed to be used second. Sounds to me like it's similar to using cotten/canvas before leather; one to get the blade back in shape a bit faster, and one to finish on.

No input from me as I have no idea... sorry ,

But great find and good luck with it. Very cool looking item.

Could you post a side view of it though ? Curious how it is shaped and put together.

Got it from a swedish auction site..

The black side might be a little bit smoother than the leather side..

It might be a section of an abrasive belt...