Thread: cuts in strop Illinois #127

Is there a way to remove small cuts from a strop?

You'll hear different opinions on that subject. Looking at the strop in the photo it's my opinion the leather has been damaged too much to repair. Some of those cuts are too deep, they appear to be clear through the surface layer of the leather. However, they can be sanded down and the strop can be used as a learning tool but it won't be very smooth. Better to learn stropping on a strop that's in good shape.
Sorry.

Ok I think you may be able to do something with this. Sand down the cuts, just the cuts. Keep feeling the area with your finger tips. Once they ride smoothly over the damaged area stop sanding. Get a decorators tack rag and rub this over the strop. This should pick up any stray grit from the sandpaper.
Next get some neatsfoot oil put a few drops on your finger tip and gently rub into the sanded area, repeat for each area of damage. Leave for a day to dry, then rub in a very, very small drop of more neatsfoot oil. Leave for another day, then get a lint free cloth to rub up and down the length of the strop a good number of times. Repeat with just the Palm of your hand
keep rubing untill you feel some warmth, this should dissipate the oil.
Try a test strop very slowly if you can't feel any bumps you're good to go.

Boy, do those type of cuts look familiar. I used pumice stone instead of the sandpaper Anthony1954 used but it works the same in the end. Either way it is very important to get all the grit removed. Yes, I am still using the strop successfully.

Bob

What grit of sand paper? The thing I don't my horse hide strop that I use right after that does not get cut I am a little confused. Thank you.

Glad I looked at this thread. My first strop has a few nicks, although not as bad as yours 45auto. I'll have go at restoring mine now.

Originally Posted by 45auto

What grit of sand paper? The thing I don't my horse hide strop that I use right after that does not get cut I am a little confused. Thank you.

As fine as possible to achieve the desired result. Not quite sure what you're asking in the second part of your post.

ya i kinda forgot to add "understand why"... I looked closer at my horse hide strop and I am cutting it just less. I am flipping my blade wrong instead of rolling on the spine of the blade I have been picking the entire blade off the strop and flipping it therefore cutting my strop.

Practice with a straight that's not sharp or a butter knife. Watch the videos on here it'll take time but the knack is to roll the blade on the spine as you move it up and down the strop. Try rolling a pencil between your thumb and forefinger. Your wrist shouldn't move as you flip the blade. It took me a good couple of weeks to master it. I'd show you the original strop but it's gone to the land of dead strops in the sky!!