Thread: Patch-y strop

since we are at strops questions,

here's one for the stropmeister's:

I have DOVO best russian strop, 2". I have been using it for 2 months now. The strop has DOVO yellow paste coating. Now, the problem is that the strop surface is not even and smooth everywhere. There are lower spots, patches, that dont shine like the rest of the strop, and i think the razor is not reaching them. The surface is also lighter there. Also, there is diferent, unevean razor drag on the strop. They cover about 50% of the strop.

What is the solution? Should I lap the strop with pumice stone, rub it with glass bottle or??

I realy hate messing with brand new stuff :?

Originally Posted by superfly

since we are at strops questions,

here's one for the stropmeister's:

I have DOVO best russian strop, 2". I have been using it for 2 months now. The strop has DOVO yellow paste coating. Now, the problem is that the strop surface is not even and smooth everywhere. There are lower spots, patches, that dont shine like the rest of the strop, and i think the razor is not reaching them. The surface is also lighter there. Also, there is diferent, unevean razor drag on the strop. They cover about 50% of the strop.

What is the solution? Should I lap the strop with pumice stone, rub it with glass bottle or??

I realy hate messing with brand new stuff :?

When a brand-new piece of leather is first used or conditioned, it will appear to be a little splotchy. THAT'S NORMAL. You can recondition it after waiting a day or two with another very light coat of DOVO yellow to begin to even our the tones.

A new strop does not NEED to be conditioned prior to use, but many of us prefer the difference in feel the conditioning seems to impart. With conditiong or any other strop pastes, too little is better than too much. Removing too much paste is a pain. It's better to add sparingly.

I personally pefer Fromm Strop Dressing. I like the way it moisturizes my dishpan hands as I apply it. :roll:

David,

The problem is not the uneaven conditioner on the strop, but not flat surface. Is this possible? When i strop, the drag on the razor feels uneaven, and when looked against light, it seams that the spots where the razor is touching the strop are more darker and shinier... Is ti possible that the strop is not factory-ground well, and if so, do i have to flatten it?

Might be that it really has a few unlevel areas, that may be improved by laying the strop flat, then rolling it out with some pressure with a glass bottle, tall drinking glass, or a rolling pin.

I had to condition and roll-out my Illinios 361 twice before it got really flat the entire length.