Thread: Smokey Strop

I won a nice old strop off Ebay. It was in pretty rough shape when I got it, an old Scotch Shell. It had some pretty deep scratches in it, after some sanding, buffing and rubbing with oil, it came out very nice. The only problem is, the Barber shop and/or home where it was kept, must have been a Smoking Shop/home. This thing stinks. It been banished to my Garage because I can smell it when I go near my shave den. What a shame, I was hoping the sanding, buffing and oiling would lessen it somehow, but I think years and years of smoke absorbtion have ruined it. Has anyone else come across this problem. Any suggestions other than sell it to a smoker....?

I have heard that covering things with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) removes the smell of nicotine - a number of changes of the stuff might be called for. It will probably draw out the oils in the leather too, so the strop will need reconditioning afterwards. Perhaps you could add a few drops of perfumed essential oil to the strop conditioner?

Saddle-soaping it may help too.

Regards,
Neil.

Saddle Soap makes sense. I should have thought of it. Thank You!