Thread: cracked old strop

Hi

I got and old strop from my uncle.

the surface, near the edges, have cracks. I have cleaned it and give it a generous amount of mink oil.

the surface looks good but cracked.

is this strop toast?

Is there a remedy for the crack?

Can I still use it?

cheers.

No remedies for cracks, you can't put leather back. You could possibly sand them out if they are very shallow but if the leather is in such bad shape that it cracked, the strop may not survive the sanding. I tried sanding one that was badly cracked and it broke in two in my hands and I was being careful.

Since it was in your family, I'd clean it up and display it. Get a good strop with less sentimental value to use.

An image would help though.

Cheers, Steve

I think this is a case where pictures are mandatory.

In general, when leather is old and cracked, it needs water far more than it needs oil.

I have had some success with first cleaning Strop with saddle soap and a brush. Then treat with neetsfoot oil.

I have not tried to recondition an old strop, but I would think that applying neetsfoot oil to the back side of the strop would be as important as applying it to the face. Since you are so concerned about the condition of the face, it would be easy to overlook the back.

Neetsfoot oil will soak into the leather much better than most commercially available mink oils which may contain silicone, lanolin, waxes, etc.

mink oil was not the best thing you could have done. hydrating the strop as mentioned is better with neatsfoot oil , and as mentioned again , work it in from the back too. but without pictures it may all be for nothing if the strop is toast Tc

Morning guys.
Here are some pics of the strop in questions.
The back is fine. looks a little like suede.
Cheers.

Also some cut marks there.

The cracks look deep and are throughout. I'm not sure the usual recommendation for light sanding would help in your case. Maybe the reverse side might serve better than the front if it's in good shape and has a good finish to it.

I guess I will try to sand to the front side and see.
The cracked are not throughout. From the cuts are left side only. Lucky for me I am right handed :-)
If I still see crack after sanding, I will follow you recommendation and use only the back side.
Thx.