Thread: Neats foot oil

Good decision (IMHO) Jack. There are of course products sold for conditioning strops, but they are not *needed*. If anyone wants to use them, that's entirely up to them as it's their strop and their $$. But they are not necessary.

As has been said a good rub is all you need, and deciding to put something onto leather is a heck of a lot easier than removing it should you change your mind.

I like Ballistol on leather, I fold a paper towel into about a 2 inch square pad.

Hold the pad over the can and turn upside down for a second. Let the Ballistol soak into the towel evenly, a minute or two.

Wipe lightly on the strop in long quick strokes applying a very thin coat.

Ballistol will absorb quickly into the strop. Wait a day or two before using, allow the Ballistol to absorb completely into the leather.

If you apply too much, lay the strop on folded paper towels and weight the back and let it sit a day or two. In the sun for an hour will speed up the blotting.

Change the towels if needed. Unbleached paper napkins are super absorbent.

For most, the oil in your hand will be enough, but if the strop’s been baking in a hot attic for a few years, it may need a bit more. Experiment, start very sparingly, you can always add more in a week or two.

If you have a strop that looks like a large piece of crispy bacon, Ballistol can make it soft.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I like Ballistol on leather, I fold a paper towel into about a 2 inch square pad.

Hold the pad over the can and turn upside down for a second. Let the Ballistol soak into the towel evenly, a minute or two.

Wipe lightly on the strop in long quick strokes applying a very thin coat.

Ballistol will absorb quickly into the strop. Wait a day or two before using, allow the Ballistol to absorb completely into the leather.

If you apply too much, lay the strop on folded paper towels and weight the back and let it sit a day or two. In the sun for an hour will speed up the blotting.

Change the towels if needed. Unbleached paper napkins are super absorbent.

For most, the oil in your hand will be enough, but if the strop’s been baking in a hot attic for a few years, it may need a bit more. Experiment, start very sparingly, you can always add more in a week or two.

If you have a strop that looks like a large piece of crispy bacon, Ballistol can make it soft.

I've ordered a new strop and it's going to be what I use. But,,, in my searching I saw lots of "vintage" strops on ebay. While most of the strops looked like great tools I was worried about the condition since I don't collect and just need something to use. Euclid's method sounds like a good plan for one of these strops. Depending on the actual condition of the leather of course. It would be cool to have a really old strop that could be used and does a great job. I've seen several (lots) of examples of people collecting razors and stones. I'm sure strops are the same. Does anyone buy or collect strops to be included in their shaving collections? If so do you use them? Just curious.


Jack

At one time I was keen to collect a strop representing every type of skin there was. I guess I had a strop made from every critter that ever walked, crawled or swam. It got to be a little much. I pretty much gave most of them away over the years.

In the end they all worked the same.

I used neetsfoot on a strop once....never again! It will not make an old strop new. It will surely mess up a new one!
Hand-rubbing only! JMO

I think the softer the leather the better - my theory is that it moulds to the shape of the blade better than a thick tough strop. But I think just about any leather will get the job done - how fast and how efficiently is another question. Find one you like, break it in good and stick with it.

John