Thread: Rubbing lather on strop for maintenance - good or bad?

Just to be clear, like it or not, IT WORKS! Also, it has nothing to do with treating the strop. NOTHING. Let me say that one more time. It has nothing to do with treating the strop. Its used to make the strop work BETTER! Not just to produce draw, like draw is some subjective thing, like pretty razors. It's done to improve the performance of the strop. That way you don't have to do so many laps when stropping. It takes a few try's because you have to deeply impregnate the leather. Tallow? Don't need no stinking tallow. This is mistreating the leather so it'll do our bidding. This is the big difference between honing intervals.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Just to be clear, like it or not, IT WORKS! Also, it has nothing to do with treating the strop. NOTHING. Let me say that one more time. It has nothing to do with treating the strop. Its used to make the strop work BETTER! Not just to produce draw, like draw is some subjective thing, like pretty razors. It's done to improve the performance of the strop. That way you don't have to do so many laps when stropping. It takes a few try's because you have to deeply impregnate the leather. Tallow? Don't need no stinking tallow. This is mistreating the leather so it'll do our bidding. This is the big difference between honing intervals.

That's exactly it. Just because something has a beneficial effect doesn't mean it's good for you or whatever you use it for. It's two entirely different things. You can over clock your computer processor and it might run like a champ but down the road it may not last very long. Now I'm not saying lather will damage your strop. However, for me I'll skip it.

I started with an SRD Paddle with the premium leather. It seemed slick to me with very little draw. I bought some Neatsfoot oil, used it, and it made no difference and might have slicked it up even more. Somebody on here mentioned lather, so I tried it. I slopped up the strop, left it overnight, wiped the residue off the next morning, and I had a gigantic increase in draw. I like lots of draw. It allows me to use less pressure and let the strop do the work. Recently I bought the SRD Bridle leather for my paddle and lathered it up after the first, unimpressive, session. It was a draw machine! I don't know how it works or what it will eventually do to the strop, and I don't really care. What I care about is results. If the strop dies a nasty death, I will buy another one and lather that one up too.

As long as you're making decisions based on the concept that is the most important to you. And as you say Nelson, no proof that it hurts the strop. Life is full of things that don't feel good, when done right.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

As long as you're making decisions based on the concept that is the most important to you. And as you say Nelson, no proof that it hurts the strop. Life is full of things that don't feel good, when done right.

I'll remember that my next digital exam at the Urologist. Har har.

I have never used soap. However I remember years ago I saw a barber run a small amount of lather onto his fingertips and place it on a strop, followed by rubbing it in with the palm of his hand and then taking a barber towel and wiping down the strop. I was not into staights at that time and did not question him about the process.

I have used neatsfoot oil and fromm dressing with good results.

I never considered improving the draw, which it usually did, (slightly) when applying any type of dressing. My objective was to have a clean smooth strop. I like to occasionally rub the strop with the heel of my hand. This works about as well as anything.

I think alot of the old time barbers used soap as a conditioner and cleaner according to the old barber manuals I have seen. My friends who use soap are well satisfied.

We could do well to go back and study the old barbers. Every new technical advantage is not always a tactical advantage. That's what I use to tell the young police officers who carried plastic pistols when they ask why I didn't get rid of my old single action 1911 .45.