Thread: Oiling the Strop

I agree with Zib on rubbing the strop with the palm of my unwashed hand. I create a little heat and friction and the leather darkens. About every 3-4 months, I'll rub some shaving lather on the strop and rub it into the leather with my hand.

I have very dry hands so I rub my forehead, with my hand, and then the strop. It gives less draw. I
don't know if this is bad for the strop or not but it works for me.

To avoid using too much oil, and also add some natural oils, I rub the oil on my hands first, and then rub my hand on the strop.

Originally Posted by dlmarmon

I have very dry hands so I rub my forehead, with my hand, and then the strop. It gives less draw. I
don't know if this is bad for the strop or not but it works for me.

I've done the same thing.....

Oz has a good point too, It depends on what you have. Most of the high end strops like SRD, Tony Miller, Kanayama, etc. I wouldn't put anything on them. They're great the way they are. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, and do the hand rub, that's it.

This hand rub thing is creepy!How often do wash you hands,realy?If you can put oil on leather with just your hand,you need to bathe more.

I use neatsfoot oil every 6 months or when the leather on my paddle feels dry.Same for gun leather.

Stay away from applying oil. Creepy as it seems to some, natural oil in the palm is best, IMO and is miniscule in proportion to a drop of anything else. The rubbing of the palm is the best way to go. Yes! Wash your hands! We don't want dirty hand oil, do we?

I have a Tony Miller strop, all I do is rub with my palm before each use that's all.

Kind regards

Mark

Im gonna start doing this. Thanks for this thread.

Originally Posted by Mod

I have a Tony Miller strop, all I do is rub with my palm before each use that's all.

Kind regards

Mark

Actually Mark, Yes, That's it. And Thanks to Sharptonn, We don't want want you rubbing your nice new strops with dirty hands, so wash them. I'm partial to Goat's milk soap. Good Stuff.

What you don't want to do is rub your strop after you've just washed your hands. You want some of the natural oils from your skin, It really is the best conditioner imo.