buildup for sure. what these guys are describing hits it on the nose. I do have an evil geneva cutlery razor that slashes up any strop it touches, but I've retired that little bastard.
......and no, you may not put a thumbnotch on my strop.
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I think the Red Latigo has more oil and wax on it than any of the other leathers I have seen used in strops. I really find that although there is not a break in period for stropping, there is a break in period to get through the oils and waxes. With hand rubbing every day in addition to stropping you can actually feel for lack of something better to call them, little pellets that come up from rubbing and then you can rub these off. Once through this layer so to speak, the strop is really set. I have used saddle soap in the past with pretty good results but always follow up with neatsfoot or mink oil really rubbed in.
Got a tip from a master leather guy the other day. He says if a strop is drying out, put neats foot on the underside as it is more fibrous and the oil will soak into the leather quicker. Can still put a little on the smooth side and rub it in, but best results on the rough or underside. Interesting.
Have fun,
Lynn
Very interesting indeed! I'll have to remember that...Quote:
Got a tip from a master leather guy the other day. He says if a strop is drying out, put neats foot on the underside as it is more fibrous and the oil will soak into the leather quicker. Can still put a little on the smooth side and rub it in, but best results on the rough or underside. Interesting.
- Scott
[QUOTE=mparker762;351585]
....
I use Williams mug soap to clean my strops FWIW. Seems to do a better job than saddle soap, and avoids having another specialty item around the house.[/QUOTE]
MP, how do you go about doing this? What are the mechanics? Thanks
Jordan
I use and old boar brush and lather the strop up like I'm gonna shave it, except making a thicker pasty lather to avoid getting too much water in the leather, and work it in for about a minute. Then wipe off with a damp cloth that's been fully wrung out, and let it dry overnight.