Thread: How far from usable is this strop?

+1 on what bigspendur said. I can speak from experience with a fold of that type since I once picked up one in that same condition. I was a bit too forceful in trying to straighten it and it cracked halfway across. I'd try soaking or steaming before doing any serious straightening.
It would be a real shame to lose one that seems to be in such great condition otherwise.



rs,
Tack

Yup, I got one folded like that in a group purchase of a black embossed leather barber case that had a Boker razor and Dark Blue Escher inside with just enough of the label on the end that I could make out the “Dark Blue” end label no Escher label, the real reason I bought the lot for 30 bucks.

I removed the strop hardware and painted it while still folded with a boar paint brush and Ballistol until it stopped soaking it up. I waited for a couple of hours then lay it flat and wiped with Ballistol soaked paper towels until the gunk stopped coming off on the towels and laid flat on dry paper towels to dry and wick excess oil. Came out nice and did not crack when unfolded.

The stone cleaned up nice also, but lost the end stamp… don’t plan on selling it. The strop was not as nice as yours it was more of an experiment.

Neatsfoot oil is how i would proceed. soak it thoroughly and let it hang--don't try to bend it at all for a week.

If it won't take any more oil (wipe on/wipe off) then start gently flexing it. Let it hang.

It should soon be straight enough for stropping.

UN-cracked leather can nearly always be resurrected, cracked leather is cracked leather forever.

I'm a whore for old cheap strops and got an almost identical strop to that one in the mail today. Except it was well-used and nicked. Didn't need oiling, but I have two others that did.

It's a lovely leather. Harder and slicker than my new SRD Latigo. Edit: on second look, I see that albeit Russian, mine is a Hess Hair Milk Labs strop. "Keene Edge" above the "CCCP" markings where yours has "OKKC". But that doesn't change how i'd fix it.

pure neatsfoot, not "compound".

I would address the mold first. The poor thing is rotting and you better stop that first. The fold won't matter, if it's rotten inside. If you bend it anywhere and see any tiny cracks you better plan this out right. It looks like it was stored in a basement or someplace damp and dank. If you use anything with wax or a sealer it will trap everything inside and it will rot from the inside out.

Whatever you do and the above comments may all be good. Remember it took years to get into that condition. It will a while to get it right.
I have one I have been putsing with for a year but, it is coming to life. the joy of the ones I have saved has more than offsett the slow going!
~Richard

How far from usable is this strop?
That depends, how far from me are you.....

Some great advice above my post.
One thing I have diligently and repeatedly noted in my experience with this sport/hobby/method is time and patience reaps rewards.