-
[quote="randydance062449"]
Be sure to condition the back of the strop. It dries out from that side also.
*****>> D'Uh! (light going off over head) I never thought, or did that! the BACK of the strop! that should make it softer all the way through .... will do that today for a few strops!
I am also going to try using the Bag Balm - (which works GREAT up here in the cold Northeast on human skin!) - on a strop or two.
I LOVE experimenting with all these toys!!!
Best - thanks for the good tip, Randy!
(Can't wait for my beard to grow out again so I can shave with my new SRP again! :)
-
Bag Balm....
Okay - tried tha Bag Balm to condition a couple of strops - WORKED GREAT!!! :)
Used very little, and worked it in with fingers first, then the palm of the hand. It really, really softened and conditioned the leather, and stropping on it was a pleasure!
You can buy a tin of Bag Balm at about any pharmacy. it is cheap, and the tin will last many years (unless you do a herd of cows with it!) :)
Best -
-
.
.
Wow!, from 16 years ago! :)
-
Anyone reading this needs to ignore the above advice. My comments were made at a time when this subject was in its infancy.
We have learned a lot during the following years. Go to the Library first and read up there first then go to the Strops forum for more info.
I do not use 3 dots of oil anymore. I now use neatsfoot oil only and then I spread a bit on my fingers, make X"s on my strop then rub it in and wait for a weak or two to see the effect. Most of my strops have not been oiled in years.
Just my 2¢ :)
-
I’m consistent with Randy’s advice these days. I also have a 10+ year old Kanoyama 80000 that I bought used and I’ve never put anything on it. It’s polished like a mirror and as supple as the day that I got it. Iwasaki says to never put oil on a shell strop, it will cut the polishing power in half.
Sometimes I do use neatsfoot oil, on desiccated non-shell vintage strops (rare for me these days), and on boar strops. I use it like Randy does, I rub it on my hands then rub my hands on the desiccated vintage strop or the boar strop. Then wait a few days and assess the results.
-
Yep.
This is what I do also. But o ly on a strop I find dry or vintage and needing help. A little goes a very long way. I give it 2 or 3 weeks before deciding if it needs more. If it does need more then I will do the opisite/back side next. Too much on the stropping serface is not a good thing.
-
I've always used a rag, dampened with warm water. Then I add a touch of neatsfoot oil to the rag, then rub it in.
The slight bit of water helps draw the oil deeper into the dry leather, of a old strop.
For the few times I've felt they were over oiled, I've wiped them a pass or two, with a clean rag moistened with rubbing alcohol, them palm rub them, again.
Just make sure the rag is only damp, not wet. Your just wanting to pull a bit of oil from the surface of the strop.
-
I once got a red died strop from SRD before it went under that was so oily I never did get it cleaned. The rubbing alcohol was used a ton but it still kept bleading red and was soaked with oil no mater what I did. I think I cut it up and used it for something other than stropping.