Thread: Saponificio varesino strop

So I picked up a saponificio strop off of eBay for a lot less than I would have paid new. I have to say I'm not really impressed at all don't get me wrong the emblem an stitching is even an well done the eel leather is great quality the linen is glued to the leather an they did a good job but the quality of the leather isn't up to par to me it seems dry even ruff to me kind of grainy.

It seems towork great stropping but it's got some feedback that feels the same running my hand on it which is where my initial opinion came from.

Does anyone else have one an notice this? Also I noticed some lumps in the linen like air bubbles from the glueing process does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this without steam so it doesn't come off of the leather?

Any info/help/thoughts is appreciated

any photos?

Strop Leather/Linen – Eel (natural color) | Saponificio Varesino Online Store 2016

Leather part is eel skin. Interesting.

Perhaps that is just the way the leather component is ? For the linen I would try a rolling pin if the Mrs has one, or a bottle if she doesn't. Maybe even stick a pointy object in the bubble to release any trapped air before rolling it out.

If the surface feels rough and grainy there is a chance you could reduce that with some 320 grit sandpaper. However look at the edge and make sure the epidermis is thick enough to take a little sanding. You might go right through and wind up with a suede. Either that or you could resell it and hope to et some or all of your money back.

The leather should be thick enough an sanding it was my initial thought but I was trying to avoid it if anything else might help that's why I came here figured someone might have an idea that I didn't already think of.

Her are the only pics I took they're the air bubbles in the linen.

If you don't sand the eel you may be able to get your $ out of it. If you do sand it maybe not. Just saying. Have you stropped on the linen with the bubbles as is ? I'd try that and maybe it may be fine.

I didn't want to sand it that's why I asked first it was the only thing that I could think of doing, so I came here hoping someone would have another option but it doesn't seem as though anyone does.

Yes I have stropped on the linen the bubbles are small but they are greatly exaggerated when stropping they feel as though you're going over boulders.

I also don't think that I can suck the air out as the linen is paper thin I may be wrong about it even being air it maybe a lump in the leather covered by the linen or a foreign object a piece of hair maybe The linen really is that thin.

In the pic the thin white area is the linen of course.

If it is a lump I would think you could feel it with your fingers. I'd lay it leather side down on a table and press on the area where the bubbles are. If it feels as if it is just a case of the linen not adhering to the glued area I'd take a steam iron on low, and go over it a time or two. If worse came to worse, and the linen came off, then I'd get some spray adhesive and reattach it . A lot of hassle, but if you can't use it as is, it is either that or sell/trade it I would think.

I'd wash it good with plenty of hot water a scrub brush and some soap. it will probably shrink some after that and that might solve your problems.