I have acquired a strop, the fabric side of which is absolutely encrusted with
chromium oxide paste: it is very thick, mostly dried up, and feels rough to
the touch. I don't want to touch it with a razor until it's all removed. The
underlying fabric is purported to be a fine linen, so it may be worth attempting
a salvage job.
I have already carefully scrapped off a good bit of it, using the back of a butter
knife. I followed that with rubbing with a soft cotton cloth. Quite a lot of CrOx
still remains embedded in the fabric.
Mastro Livi recommends cleaning a strop with lighter fluid. OK, but I want to try
to do as little damage as possible to the fabric. I understand that it may never
come completely clean, and may forever remain a CrOx pasted strop, but that's
OK, too.
I just don't want to wreck it. Any suggestions?
Thanks.