What's the RIGHT way to break in a strop?

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05-24-2006, 06:21 PM
hardline_42

What's the RIGHT way to break in a strop?

I've got one of Tony's #1 Best wide hanging strops w/ Heirloom red latigo leather coming in this week and I'm curious about breaking it in (if it's even necessary). I've heard a few different procedures and I'm wondering what the best route is. First off, the linen side. I've heard that rubbing in shaving soap and then rubbing it with a glass bottle works. I did this on my Illinois strop and didn't notice much difference. For the leather side I've heard using lather, neat's foot oil, mink oil, olive oil, the palm of your hand, etc. Which one of these is correct? I also have a strip of Handamerican leather lying around that I want to use as a finishing strop (3-strop system). Is one method preferred to use on the red latigo vs. the Handamerican? Thanks.
05-24-2006, 06:32 PM
wvbias

The strop will not need to be broken in.
It's ready to begin using.

Terry
05-24-2006, 06:35 PM
hardline_42

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvbias

The strop will not need to be broken in.
It's ready to begin using.

Terry

Well, that was easy! Thanks Terry. I'm sure that someone out there would benefit from an answer, though, seeing how not all strops are ready to use.
05-24-2006, 08:00 PM
xman

Strops that are not ready to use can by rubbed with a smooth round glass jar filled with warm water (or reasonable facimile) to smooth them. Any leather conditioner should be fine to preserve it.

X
05-24-2006, 08:41 PM
Lynn

I think the strop is ready to go. I would not treat it with anything unless at some point it starts to dry out and get stiff. You can rub your palm across it on an ongoing basis and it should stay in great condition. Don't leave in the oven at 350 degrees for any prolonged period......lol. Have fun. Lynn
05-25-2006, 01:51 AM
Tony Miller

My strops usually need no breaking in when received. The leather, while thick is fairly pliable and even if it cups doen the road flexing it a little will flatten it right out. I do include a 2oz bottle of strop dressing with them but I never use it on mine. Like Lynn I just rub it down with the palm of my hand before I use it.

Tony
05-25-2006, 04:21 AM
randydance062449

A Barber book from 1988 that I have says to use a bar of soap and rub it into the linen. Then follow that by rubbing the linen with a glass jar. I use a bar of Ivory soap.

Just my two cents,:)
05-25-2006, 12:56 PM
Lynn

I usually don't treat linen at all unless at all. I have tried the TI paste on it. Mainly I paste the back of the leather or use a flatbed leather hone. Lynn
05-25-2006, 01:40 PM
FiReSTaRT

I used Tony's strop out of the box and it was just fine. Enjoy :D
05-26-2006, 04:21 AM
gglockner

It will be ready to use. It will get even better with use.

Glen
05-29-2006, 12:55 AM
RichZ

I was going to say across your kids bottom but did not want to be known as an abuser.. Only to myself:D
05-29-2006, 02:29 AM
hardline_42

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichZ

I was going to say across your kids bottom but did not want to be known as an abuser.. Only to myself:D

LOL. I like that. When I have kids, it'll definitely be feared! Seriously though, I got the strop last week and it's great. I got some cheapie Williams soap and rubbed it on the linen side and the draw on the blade is perfect. The leather side needed nothing, just like you guys told me. Thanks again.
05-29-2006, 03:21 AM
Tony Miller

Hardline,
I have not tried the soap thing on any of my strops yet. Keep us posted on how that works out.
Tony
05-29-2006, 05:38 AM
xman

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichZ

I was going to say across your bottom but did not want to be known as an abuser.. Only to myself:D

What about your wife's? If you're too squeemish about that too I can take care of it for you.;)

X
05-29-2006, 11:15 PM
hardline_42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Hardline,
I have not tried the soap thing on any of my strops yet. Keep us posted on how that works out.
Tony

Tony, thanks for the strop, it's amazing! I have always rubbed dry shaving soap on the linen side of my strops. I know some were originally waxed, etc. but I like the amount of "stiction" the soap gives the linen. The day I got the strop delivered (I always get my stuff delivered at work;) ) I picked up a cake of Williams soap at CVS and rubbed it into the linen side. Then I took an empty beer bottle (I made the "sacrifice"of drinking it for the cause) and rubbed until all the excess flaky stuff came off and it felt smooth. The blade glides across it with enough draw to give you a decent amount of control instead of zipping across too quickly on a typical untreated strop. This is something that I've always done with good results but I'm no expert.
05-30-2006, 12:37 AM
Tony Miller

Thanks. I think I will try one that way myself.

Tony
05-30-2006, 04:58 PM
RichZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by xman

What about your wife's? If you're too squeemish about that too I can take care of it for you.;)

X

My wife is Irish and the last thing you want to do is raise your hand to her....:eek:

Ever hear of Wayne Bobik
05-30-2006, 05:53 PM
xman

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichZ

My wife is Irish and the last thing you want to do is raise your hand to her....:eek:

Ever hear of Wayne Bobik

Gotcha, but don't bring up Bobbit, please. It does awful things to my spincter and testicles. :ziplip:

X
05-30-2006, 06:01 PM
RichZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by xman

Gotcha, but don't bring up Bobbit, please. It does awful things to my spincter and testicles. :ziplip:

X

Ohhhh yeah that is the truth....:eek: