Thread: Tips for Evening a Bump?

I had a shave this morning that didn't reflect what my read off the stone was, and I started thinking.

Wait a second....

I have a HUGE bump in my strop. Definitely feel it Moving across. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I'm starting to realize the bump may have rounded my edge. It's an Illinois 361 (the barber's handle one). I actually like the strop and broke the leather in, but I never considered the bump may affecting the edge. Jeez. I think the strop was folded into a box and deeply creased as a result. Not sure if any other way would explain it.

I'll post pics on my lunch break.

Reading through some old posts--can you iron that out?

My only strop is an Illinois 361. It also came from the store with a bend from being folded to fit in a drawer. It flattened out nicely with use and being hung vertically for use, so just using it will likely straighten it out.

The bump wouldn't likely cause a problem with your razor. To smooth it out you can lightly dampen the surface and lay flat on a table. Placing something flat and heavy on top to keep it flat while drying would also help. Look up posts on using lather to clean and condition a new strop; lather plus rolling with a beer or wine bottle could be effective.

Often just dampening the leather with a damp cloth or sponge and letting the leather absorb a bit of moisture is enough to relax it.

I wipe mine leather strops down with a damp micro fiber to clean and add moisture. May take a day or two.

You can try pulling it back and forth around a chair leg, rough side in. That will loosen the internal fibers. I do it after after serious renewal of a found strop that has gotten to the point of having enough flexibility to not break. After a while I then do it over a sharp door or counter edge...yup... I get to 60°- 80° or more before I am happy with a strop.
It is an old method of making leather flexible..Found it In a 1700s barber book.
Have fun!
~Richard