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Thread: Fire hose strop
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05-20-2017, 02:55 AM #1
Lately, I have been making some with a bit more modern polyester fire-hose from the 70's.
Like a leisure-suit!
I prefer it to antique unlined linen stuff anyday.
This is lined with a thin, neutral membrane. The sort of stuff for one-use like we may have seen in buildings, Hotels, etc.
It irons-out nice and strops much smoother.
In fact, My old natural linen ones I cleaned and restored are getting super-stiff with time.
Seems the nature of the stuff.
Polyester fire-hose.
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05-20-2017, 03:06 AM #2
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.
"The sharpening stones from time to time provide officers with gasoline."
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sharptonn (05-20-2017)
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05-20-2017, 05:37 AM #3
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05-20-2017, 12:49 PM #4
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."The sharpening stones from time to time provide officers with gasoline."
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05-20-2017, 03:59 PM #5
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.
Last edited by sharptonn; 05-21-2017 at 03:34 AM.
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05-20-2017, 05:50 PM #6
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Thanked: 4200Pure mink oil, hard to find but worth acquiring for sure Tom.
Does a top notch job on good footware as well.
Beauty strops bro...
"Depression is just anger,, without the enthusiasm."
Steven Wright
https://mobro.co/michaelbolton65?mc=5
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sharptonn (05-25-2017)
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05-21-2017, 03:31 AM #7
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.
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FranfC (05-21-2017)
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05-24-2017, 06:44 PM #8
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sharptonn (05-24-2017)
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05-24-2017, 10:37 PM #9
Back atcha with the Tuzi Horsehide!
Looks like Gabe has some nice ones going as well!