Thread: Great grandfathers old strop

Please understand that many people here confuse "rehydration" with oiling. Leather needs water more than oil and can be ruined by being saturated with oil. Rehydration is the gradual addition of water to leather, followed by the addition of a small amount of protective oil.

Be forewarned.

I bought an old strop that had been stored for many years in an attic. The first time I pulled on the handle it came off!


The threads had dry rotted. Took it to my cobbler and had it re-stitched. Still using it.

That's neet to have. but for me i'm kind of glad i don't have grand's strop. Dad wore it out on me

Here is a link to a well done article on leather preservation and maintenance. Go to the section on old leather.
Do not put shoe polish on your strop.

Leather Preservation for new leather

Lots of good advice here, it'll look great when done! Very nice heirloom from your Great Grandfather, a real keeper.

Okay, so I have cleaned it now. A few times and let it hand and "rest" a day between. Now, after geting rid of the dirt I can see small particles glimmer in the surface. Probably some metal... They wont come off by cleaning with leather soap. Is there something else I can do to get rid of them? Or do I simply have to rehydrate it (witch would be the next step anyway) and then test and see if the particles have any effect?

Originally Posted by JackeHj

Okay, so I have cleaned it now. A few times and let it hand and "rest" a day between. Now, after geting rid of the dirt I can see small particles glimmer in the surface. Probably some metal... They wont come off by cleaning with leather soap. Is there something else I can do to get rid of them? Or do I simply have to rehydrate it (witch would be the next step anyway) and then test and see if the particles have any effect?

I have never tried it myself, but I've read that a strong magnet through a thin cloth, or maybe it was paper towel. Sounds weird but it might work.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I have never tried it myself, but I've read that a strong magnet through a thin cloth, or maybe it was paper towel. Sounds weird but it might work.

Might work with a really strong magnet. The particles are so small so Im not sure a magnet will "find" them and be able to pull them out. But it is worth a try, if I had a strong magnet...

Dunno bout stores to buy a strong magnet, but in a pinch this is what I do. Don't ask why I need this, it's...complicated.



Insulated copper wire will work. Be careful using batteries...

http://science.howstuffworks.com/how...ctromagnet.htm

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Dunno bout stores to buy a strong magnet, but in a pinch this is what I do. Don't ask why I need this, it's...complicated.



Insulated copper wire will work. Be careful using batteries...

How to Make an Electromagnet | HowStuffWorks

Yes, that could work! I study physics so I should have been able to come up with that idea myself...