Thread: Any videos on breaking in a strop and what kind of lather?

So I've read a ton about breaking in a strop and am slightly confused about lathering and rolling over the strop with a glass bottle. Anyone know of any videos out there where I can watch someone doing this? Also, does it matter what kind of lather I use for breaking in an IRP strop? Thanks a lot guys!

I have a confession to make.

I bought a strop that wasn't perfectly flat. It had a small crease at one end and was slightly humped in the middle along its length. I rolled a glass bottle filled with hot water along it. That fixed the crease, but the slight hump remained. I think the glass bottle would have fixed it, but taken a lot of work (it's a 24 inch strop.)

I just used the strop for a while. It became flatter with use. I could have left it at that.

Well here's the confession. Eventually I just pulled out a travel iron. I plugged it in for a few seconds at a time to get it slightly hot (much lower temperature than the thermostat works at.) I put a sheet of kitchen paper towel over the strop and I just ironed it. It worked a treat. The trick is to not rely on the thermostat (lowest setting on mine was 100 degrees which I thought was much too high.) And keep the iron moving!

Don't blame me if you try it and it goes wrong though.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

Well here's the confession. Eventually I just pulled out a travel iron. I plugged it in for a few seconds at a time to get it slightly hot (much lower temperature than the thermostat works at.) I put a sheet of kitchen paper towel over the strop and I just ironed it. It worked a treat. The trick is to not rely on the thermostat (lowest setting on mine was 100 degrees which I thought was much too high.) And keep the iron moving!

Ironed a strop eh?? I have to be honest with you, that NEVER crossed my mind! But the more I think of it, I think "why not?" If it worked for you it's obviously effective if done properly.

Originally Posted by tomandjerry00

So I've read a ton about breaking in a strop and am slightly confused about lathering and rolling over the strop with a glass bottle. Anyone know of any videos out there where I can watch someone doing this? Also, does it matter what kind of lather I use for breaking in an IRP strop? Thanks a lot guys!

I just use Fromm leather conditioning, Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories, if you're interested. I just pour a little bit on the strop, massage it in until it's all gone, and leave it on a flat surface (i.e. counter-top overnight). The first time I did it I used a bottle, or something round, to help flatten it out. But I found once it was conditioned and broked in a bit I didn't have any issues with it not being flat.

I did this to my strop as well .Mine also had a crease
but i wet a had towel and ironed it on low
then i just put some strop dressing on let it dry the reapply it.
Crease gone strop smooth

I would say just chill out and don't worry about it. if its a quality strop it doesn't need any break-in. If its an eboy special and there are problems with it thats another story but thats not really break in, more repair.

Thanks a lot guys! It is an Illinois 827 so I'll just stick to rubbing it with my hands a few times a day. Awesome help!