Thread: Leather care in humid climates?

I started using a straight in December and the rainy months won't be here until June. While it is currently hot and sunny, humidity is constantly high.

After trashing my first leather pad on my paddle strop, I ordered fresh ones from SRD (Premium 1 and Bridle) and I've been using them for about four weeks now. I rub each pad with my palm, and do 20 laps on the Bridle and then 30 on the Premium 1 before each shave.

Last week, I've noticed that my Bridle pad has developed a five or six flaking spots. Each is about the size of pinhead. I thought it might be my technique but the Premium 1 wears no such marks, even if I do more passes on the Premium 1 than the Bridle.

Could this be caused by my climate? Is there anything that I should do to protect the leather? Replacing the pad is cheap enough but I'm worried that if I get a hanging Bridle strop, I may face the same issues.

Humidity wouldn't cause that. If anything mold or mildew would be a concern. I think as long as the leather is kept out of an enclosed area or near water you should be OK. Maybe periodic BRIEF exposure to direct sunlight might be a preventive to ward of any bugs that might form.

Flaking might be from your stropping. Check your razor for chips or issues on the edge.

Thanks Spendur. Will do.

I think of it were the razor or the technique both strops would have the flaking. If it were the humidity or the climate it would stand to reason that both strops would reacting the same if i read your post correctly. It could be the leather that was used to make the strop from. Chances are they did not come from the same piece of hyde. You said you bought them from SRD they have great customer service give them a call and ask them.