Thread: Cordovan Strop Care

Originally Posted by BobH

The only thing I have done to my shell Cordovan strop for regular maintenance is palm rub before stropping. I have cleaned it once after a couple of years of use with saddle soap, let it dry and polished it with pure carnauba wax. Talk about a light draw until it settled down again. The very light waxing has not done it any harm from what I can see

Bob

I talked to Alastair ( Westholme Strops ) regarding maintenance of his strops (Harween ). He advised against oil of any kind on Cordavon and suggested a gentle palm rubbing on occasion . For cleaning, just a slightly damp cloth. Mine's getting a bit scuffed also . I just consider it character . . . . .

I had already discussed this with Alastair early on and yes he only recommends palm rubbing and I also have a wallet from Ashland and they recommend the cream that is endorsed by Horween but could not comment if the draw would change on the strop.

in my experience any cream changes the draw. I also don't believe it's necessary to palm rub with cordovan as there is already a significant amount of oils within the leather - it's a matter of bringing them back to the surface which is what the horsehair brush and cloth does. But I believe in to each his own - just my experience.

Seems to me, real shell cordovan, such as Horween, is luxury in a strop. I use a microfiber cloth and hand-rubbing on mine.
Wears quickly. The shell is quite thin. What the heck! Buy a new one!

Once a year I use a tiny bit of renaissance wax on my Kanayama strop. During the year I'll hand rub the leather till it feels warm. It has worked well for me.

Originally Posted by BanjoTom

Once a year I use a tiny bit of renaissance wax on my Kanayama strop. During the year I'll hand rub the leather till it feels warm. It has worked well for me.

I have used renaissance wax on razors and scales like horn, bone and ivory but never on a strop, I am curious as to how you apply it.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Seems to me, real shell cordovan, such as Horween, is luxury in a strop. I use a microfiber cloth and hand-rubbing on mine.
Wears quickly. The shell is quite thin. What the heck! Buy a new one!

I am currently in strop therapy and as such I have to fight the addiction to buy another, over the past several years I have gone thru so many strops chasing that perfect draw, I currently have one oil tanned that’s going to be sold off and plan on listing in BST once I have time to take some pics and list.

Originally Posted by Jnatcat

I am currently in strop therapy and as such I have to fight the addiction to buy another, over the past several years I have gone thru so many strops chasing that perfect draw, I currently have one oil tanned that’s going to be sold off and plan on listing in BST once I have time to take some pics and list.

No therapy needed as you can't have too many strops. I prefer several strops with different draws and feels, as I like to use certain strops with certain razors. Some of it is "nutty," as I like to use my Kanayama with my Japanese razors, and 1/2 to near full hollow with my shell, etc. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a fast draw, and at other times a slower, smooth draw. It's all great fun!

Originally Posted by evnpar

I like to use certain strops with certain razors. Some of it is "nutty," as I like to use my Kanayama with my Japanese razors

With my Japanese razors I only use my Kanayama, it just wouldn't be right to use anything else!

In the 5ish years I've had my Kanayama I've only ever palm rubbed and once in a blue moon use a damp towel to clean. Naomi San and Neil Miller recommend this only to keep a new strop in top condition.