Thread: Think It's Time for a New Strop - Guidance Appreciated

Hello all!

I relatively recently bought an old Wade and Butcher that looks like it had been fairly recently reground to ~3/4 hollow (may have been born a wedge). After cleaning it up, building new scales, and giving it a good honing, I took it to the strop. What I had not anticipated was the edge created at the spine from the regrinding was actually fairly sharp, even after honing. I immediately felt the friction on my well worn black latigo, but did not realize until afterward that it basically stripped the surface off of the leather. It used to have a bit of a sheen, but is now dull and grabby. The razor spine has been fixed. Unfortunately, the damage is done. Now, every time I use it (regardless of which razor), the draw is insane, and it leaves an accumulation of black material behind on the spine and edge of the blade.

My questions:
1) Is the leather salvageable? I would like to restore the sheen and bring the draw back down to manageable levels, but am not sure how to approach it.

2) If not, I guess I'll have to get a new material to replace it (what a shame). Since it's an SRD, I am looking at the replacement strips. The only other strop that I have had was a very firm and shiny English Bridle, but sold it because it was too slick for my taste. I like draw, but don't want it to fight me.

The Premium III Buffalo intrigues me, but I am a bit leary that it will be too much. If it feels similar to a good latigo, perhaps even a little smoother, that would be great.

I also read that the SRD version of English Bridle has a "medium" draw, which is not what I experienced with my prior strop of the same material (different brand).

I would appreciate any thoughts from those that have used with these materials.

Cheers,

Aaron

I have the SRD Latigo, Buffalo, and E.B.
I like the Buffalo the best of the three. It has a little draw but not a bunch. The E.B. would be the next in meaning more draw and the Latigo has a lot. This was my experience with the three strops. I also have the Roo and it is starting to have a little more draw nowadays but not as much as the Latigo or E.B.
Strop draw is a personnal thing. Some folks like a lot and others don't, so its up to you to make the right choice.

Hope this helps you with your choice of leathers. The prices are great for the replacements. Maybe buy two? As far as fixing your original piece, I can't help you.
Good luck.

Buy one of both...problem solved...problem staying solved.

Caveat first, I have never tied this so use at own risk. You could clean the stropping surface with saddle soap, wipe dry and let it air dry. Next day use some pure carnauba wax sparingly to lightly coat the stropping surface and buff it well. Again I have never tried this but have used pure carnauba wax on my Horween Cordovan shell strop after cleaning it with saddle soap. Initially, after that treatment, the draw was really light but after some used settled back down to what it was originally, just a light drawn.

Bob

Thanks guys!

Since I've been using this strop exclusively for a few years now, I think I'm due for some strop variety right?

I'll take all of your advise and snag some refills as well as use Bob's suggestions to try to salvage the old girl.

Much appreciated. Cheers!

Originally Posted by DocMartin0321

Thanks guys!

Since I've been using this strop exclusively for a few years now, I think I'm due for some strop variety right?

I'll take all of your advise and snag some refills as well as use Bob's suggestions to try to salvage the old girl.

Much appreciated. Cheers!

Be sure and let us know how the salvage operation goes.

Bob

I recently replaced my old SRD English Bridle with a new strip of English Bridle. Works great for me but it’s not for beginners.

Originally Posted by BobH

Be sure and let us know how the salvage operation goes.

Bob

Gave her a good scrubbing followed by a light coat of my P21S carnauba/beeswax mix. Feels immediately improved, and is certainly serviceable until the refills arrive. Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by DocMartin0321

Gave her a good scrubbing followed by a light coat of my P21S carnauba/beeswax mix. Feels immediately improved, and is certainly serviceable until the refills arrive. Thanks for the suggestions!

Glad it worked out for you.

Bob

I am pretty new to this forum and am fascinated with all i'm learning! Thanks to all for posting of your experiences with strops and razors -- it's really helpful.