Thread: Old Strop that was folded - help to revive

I acquired an IRS #361 strop that had been stored for several years and folded in an "S" shape. There is a 6" section where the leather was folded inwards. It has been hanging for several weeks now and I have used mink oil on it. However, this section continues to have wrinkles crossing the strop, not going lengthwise. There is a noticeable texture to these wrinkles, but it is not dramatic.

Should I work to remove the wrinkles or not worry about them?

What should I use to remove them if need be - pumice?

Should I try to correct by bending in the reverse direction?

Thanks for your help

Bill

I had the exact same issue. I got a really nice strop, horseshell from the paige belting co which had never been used but had been folded in half for many years and when I got it it had a crease going right across it. I initially had it hanging with a 10lb weight attached for about a month but it didn't work. The only solution is to soak it in water until its saturated and then it will magically come out as it dries. You will probably have staining from the water on it but a heavy dose of mink oil or some other leather treatment like lexol or bick and it will be fine.

Have you tried to rub them out with a beer bottle you might want to try it. I've done it and it worked in my case.

Bigspendur has it right imo, you need to either soak the strop or partial soak and lather up with vigerous bottle work. I prefer the latter because you re-dress the surface at the same time. Don't be concerned about how wet the strop gets if it has this kind of defect, wet is good in this case.
Remember to lay it on a flat surface to dry in a cool place, turning it over now and again to even the drying out.

PuFF

Excellent - I will soak it and then report back.

Thanks for the tips.

Bill

Just so happens I just got a calf skin strop off ebay with the same problem. I soaked it in tepid water and just for the sake of experiment, I put some aloe vera in the water also. I left the strop to soak for 2 hours then took it out and patted it dry. Putting some saddlers oils on the strop I proceeded to rub out with a glass bottle filled with hot water. Creases came out a treat. I then let it sit flat on a board on the window sill covered with a cloth. It's part dry now and looks a treat.
I only deviated from the usual with the aloe vera added to the water. I will not be using the pumice on it as yet till dry and I can see how the nap is.

PuFF

I soaked the strap for a few hours in plane water, looked 95% better. Then rubbed it with a glass (did not notice any difference due to rubbing). Let it dry on a flat surface. I can see the wrinkles faintly and I cannot feel them.

I think this means I am back in business - let me know if I am wrong.

thanks for the help.

bill

Sometimes you need to physically stretch the strop when wet to remove the creases, this may be what you need to do if you still see the creases.
I have a 3' long board I use for dressing strops which I have fixed a hook on one end for normal dressing. On the other side it is leaft plain. When I need to stretch a strop, I use a ratchet strap passed around the board and the hook ends of the ratchet strap are secured to the strop. You then only have to ratchet up till the required tension is realised.

PuFF