Thread: Strop conditioning

I was looking to buy a new strop and noticed that Illinois had an oil based conditioner and Dovo had a Yellow tube paste type conditioner for strops how do those compare? And which one do you think does a better job in conditioning a leather of my new strop?

Originally Posted by Giorgio

I was looking to buy a new strop and noticed that Illinois had an oil based conditioner and Dovo had a Yellow tube paste type conditioner for strops how do those compare? And which one do you think does a better job in conditioning a leather of my new strop?

Generally, strops do not need to be conditioned. Either they come pre-conditioned, as in some vendors (like the Classic Edge) who sell them as part of a starter kit(specifically the #827), or if you buy on it's own, as I did, the Illinois #827, it was advised to apply one treatment of the Fromm Strop Conditioner.

Other than that one case where I've specifically read to condition a strop, I would apply nothing to a strop but frequent conditioning by rubbing the strop with the palm of your hand. As in anything, there are multiple opinions, but AFAIK, the majority opinion is palm rubbing will suffice.

I just got a strop sized piece of leather that I want to make into a strop, but the leather is dry and stiff. will this lathering method work to soften the leather or do I need to use a different method first?

Originally Posted by ace

I will explain sky coloring later, but for now:

Lather up whatever soap you're using. Lather up the strop. Allow it to dry overnight. Then wipe off the residue the next day. Moisten a towel lightly and rub the strop. Allow the strop to dry once more, then prepare to experience "true draw". You may get slight strop dye residue on your blade as you strop. I do, and I consider it worth the improved draw. It wipes right off.