Thread: Canvas Strop...again

Many vintage canvas strops are found pre-treated with a waxy substance. I'm supposing this was to perform the same function as the soaped strop. My best guess as to why is that the soap/ wax fills the grain creating a smoother surface and still allowing the mild abrasive action of the canvas.

I've read in some threads theories having to do with soap alkalinity aiding in protecting the razor blade. I wouldn't assume this was the intended purpose of the soap tx as it seems to me that there are better ways, such as oils and metal preservatives, that would have been available to barbers.

If you go to Arthur Boone's web site, if I remember correctly, he notes that a perfect stropping surface is almost glass like (I haven't been to the site myself in some time, so I could be wrong). The vintage cordovan shell strop that I own is so smooth that you can see you reflection on the surface. The canvas is factory prepared with the wax impregnation and is very smooth as well. This strop is my best performing and my favorite.

I have another vintage canvas that seems rougher without a definite waxy coating. This one doesn't perform quite as well. So I'm concluding that the soap is for a smoothness factor.

$0.02 deposited


Scott