Any videos on breaking in a strop and what kind of lather?

[tomandjerry00]

So I've read a ton about breaking in a strop and am slightly confused about lathering and rolling over the strop with a glass bottle. Anyone know of any videos out there where I can watch someone doing this? Also, does it matter what kind of lather I use for breaking in an IRP strop? Thanks a lot guys!

[Rajagra]

I have a confession to make.

I bought a strop that wasn't perfectly flat. It had a small crease at one end and was slightly humped in the middle along its length. I rolled a glass bottle filled with hot water along it. That fixed the crease, but the slight hump remained. I think the glass bottle would have fixed it, but taken a lot of work (it's a 24 inch strop.)

I just used the strop for a while. It became flatter with use. I could have left it at that.

Well here's the confession. Eventually I just pulled out a travel iron. I plugged it in for a few seconds at a time to get it slightly hot (much lower temperature than the thermostat works at.) I put a sheet of kitchen paper towel over the strop and I just ironed it. It worked a treat. The trick is to not rely on the thermostat (lowest setting on mine was 100 degrees which I thought was much too high.) And keep the iron moving!

Don't blame me if you try it and it goes wrong though.

[StraightRazorDave]

Well here's the confession. Eventually I just pulled out a travel iron. I plugged it in for a few seconds at a time to get it slightly hot (much lower temperature than the thermostat works at.) I put a sheet of kitchen paper towel over the strop and I just ironed it. It worked a treat. The trick is to not rely on the thermostat (lowest setting on mine was 100 degrees which I thought was much too high.) And keep the iron moving!

Ironed a strop eh?? I have to be honest with you, that NEVER crossed my mind! But the more I think of it, I think "why not?" If it worked for you it's obviously effective if done properly.

[StraightRazorDave]

So I've read a ton about breaking in a strop and am slightly confused about lathering and rolling over the strop with a glass bottle. Anyone know of any videos out there where I can watch someone doing this? Also, does it matter what kind of lather I use for breaking in an IRP strop? Thanks a lot guys!

I just use Fromm leather conditioning, Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories, if you're interested. I just pour a little bit on the strop, massage it in until it's all gone, and leave it on a flat surface (i.e. counter-top overnight). The first time I did it I used a bottle, or something round, to help flatten it out. But I found once it was conditioned and broked in a bit I didn't have any issues with it not being flat.

[broncobob]

I did this to my strop as well .Mine also had a crease
but i wet a had towel and ironed it on low
then i just put some strop dressing on let it dry the reapply it.
Crease gone strop smooth

[thebigspendur]

I would say just chill out and don't worry about it. if its a quality strop it doesn't need any break-in. If its an eboy special and there are problems with it thats another story but thats not really break in, more repair.

[tomandjerry00]

Thanks a lot guys! It is an Illinois 827 so I'll just stick to rubbing it with my hands a few times a day. Awesome help!