Thread: Fire hose strop

The one I have from you is superb. Both the fire hose and the boar leather have a light, satisfying draw. 30 hose/120 leather goes by like a dream.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

The one I have from you is superb. Both the fire hose and the boar leather have a light, satisfying draw. 30 hose/120 leather goes by like a dream.

Razorfeld:
I am curious about the boar leather, any pic's?
How thick is it and what's the surface like?
Light draw say like Horween cordovan? or something else?

Thanks
Frank

Frank, I'm comparing the draw to my English Bridal Leather strop.

Sharptonn will be reading this and I'm sure he will provide the other details you ask about. He already has pics to show (my photo skills are close to an unmentionable word). I will say the surface is exceedingly smooth and does require a heck of a lot of hand rubbing to start limbering up the leather. After all, it is perfectly preserved NOS.

These strops are from Tripoli Barber supply which went out of business in 1955.
Stored for so many years, they were quite stiff.
Through experimentation, I have found that up to 5 heavy applications of pure mink oil on the back sides followed by light wipes of same on the front renders them quite pliable and remarkably effective.



These are a bit over 3mm thick, while I do have a few other vintage examples which are much thicker.
The front is lightly grained and quite smooth while the back sides resemble a football



I have only seen vintage examples of pigskin/boarhide strops.
From reading, it would seem they were favorites of some barbers back in the day.
Most every barber supply seems to have had them in their lineup.

Indeed some tough stuff as one could imagine.
All of mine have survived in great condition.
As conditioned, just light hand-rubbing keeps them going nicely.

Richard received one which I had slathered with Bick 4 conditioner.

Worked OK, but not as good as the mink oil.

Send it back, Richard. Only the boar.
I will treat it and send it back. You will be amazed.

Pure mink oil, hard to find but worth acquiring for sure Tom.
Does a top notch job on good footware as well.
Beauty strops bro...

I have found that some mink oil has additives. Hard to find any which do not.
Avoid silicones, they say.

Anyway, does not make a holy mess like the neetsfoot.

As it absorbs-in, not oily at all.

Update
Thank you Marty for the link to Steve as well as the inspiration & information to tackle this project.
Steve thank you for such a great deal on the flax firehose, my son and I will put it to some good use.

Now the fun begins!

to the OP, i really like using linen hose.. the 1956 is a bit more stiff and rough, even after washing a couple of times using fabric softener..
(btw thanks to Euclid for suggesting giving a couple more washes... )
one thing to point out is that this IS a hose, and is meant to have no leaks, so when it's humid or wet it gets way stiffer and hardetr as the fibers of linen swell, and that's how it would not leak water all over... so not to be afraid while you are washing it if you feel like it goes "plastic" solid or too stiff... it will soften when the linen dries... and eve better if you Iron it at the to make sure it's absolutely dry.

the 1970 or later is softer and thinner, and the webbing is finer (thinner treads).. which (i guess) makes it softer.

i have some 1956 and 1970 in stock for my strops production... I normally sell here in Costa Rica but here's a pic of one i made a while ago for a forum member paired with kangaroo skin




review of that one should have to be provided by that member
but as they say the more you make the more you learn.. and technique is improving with each strop i make

Originally Posted by sharptonn

These strops are from Tripoli Barber supply which went out of business in 1955.
Stored for so many years, they were quite stiff.
Through experimentation, I have found that up to 5 heavy applications of pure mink oil on the back sides followed by light wipes of same on the front renders them quite pliable and remarkably effective.

I am very much enjoying the Tripoli I got from you, Tom. You got this strop performing so nicely. And, they seem to get even better with use. Mighty fine custom hardware and all! Top notch job

Back atcha with the Tuzi Horsehide!

Looks like Gabe has some nice ones going as well!