Thread: Slick strop problem

Originally Posted by sffone

I just assumed the slick, glass-like surface was due to the strop being old and very well used, but perhaps it did have some kind of coating on it from the beginning.

I think I'll try your approach and sand it lightly, followed by neatsfoot oil.

Thanks

That's why I posted the Pic. I would love to hear from Jimmy or Tony Miller or somone that know's about these vintage ducks. Mine feels like glass, just as you described yours. You don't want to go too far. Think of it like your removing the clear coat from your car without hitting the paint.
After your done, and you apply the Neetsfoot oil, allow it to penetrate overnight before you do a second coat. It may take a week of applying and drying....

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

I've never oiled my strops (except with the palm of my hand) so am curious about this increasing the draw. What exactly is the problem with it?

I'm a palm of the hand man too. I have a couple of vintage shell dubl duck strops as well as other brands of horse strops. They are by nature a light draw. That seems to have been the default material for the strops back in the golden days of barber shop shaving.

I remember old Frank Natale (at age 70 barbering 50 years) had a dubl duck strop hanging on his chair that was black from age and use. It felt hard as a rock to the touch but that was what he stropped with every day.

The best tip I can give is what I did to return a strop I had to it former glory and it came by out of kill or cure!

If you have a sander either orbital or belt then use a grit of 80 first and go all over it in all directions then move to a 100 and repeat and final polish off with 120 it creates the most excellent surface with super fine draw!

Wacky I know but it really worked well and now that strop can put an edge so perfectly on any razor.