Thread: Vintage horsehide strop. Polishing.

How many Grit or the size of diamonds at DMT 350? I can not find the description for DMT 350.

Actually it's a DMT 325...if you look up DMT D8C, you'll find what you are looking for.

I don't use anything more more(less) than 1000 or 1200 Grit sandpaper on my vintage(old) Strops. I find that for the little rough spots that might come up that that Grit is best. I then finish it off with finger and palm rubbing.

At this point, I would use the strop I normally use to shave, but I would take a spare razor and every time you strop your razor to shave, pull the new strop out and run the spare razor on it. That way, if it's not "good to the edge" of the spare razor at this point, it will be once you've worn it smooth and shiny.

Horse leather is a wonderful thing once it breaks in and becomes smooth.

I recently restored a horsehide (shell) strop and what I did was carefully sanding the surface with wet and dry sandpaper 360-800 grit, although I went back to 400 grit to increase draw (which it didn't, but it still works wonderfully).

Although it seems that your strop doesn't really need more than maybe a tiny bit of neatsfoot oil or even just some serious palm rubbing, if there are cracks and/or cuts and nicks, try this (this is what I did with good results):

- sand the surface with wet and dry sandpaper 360-800 grit, make sure you get the damaged parts.
- wipe off the residue on the strop after every grit with a damp cloth and change sandpaper often (you will notice residue building up on the sandpaper, this might damage your strop if you continue to use it)
- After that rub some neatsfoot oil in your palms and carefully rub it across the strop surface, try to get an equal spread.
- Let it hang to dry and acclimatize for a day or two.

It should be fine.