Thread: CrOx Contamination on Loom Strop

Those loom strops came pasted with Chrome Oxide, (Green) or Ferrous Oxide (Red). Two-sided pasted strop are easily contaminated.

You can remove or smooth out paste with lighter fluid, WD40 or most any light oil. Neetsfoot, Olive oil or Ballistol works well and the olive oil will not go rancid unless stored in an air tight container or over applied.

There is a well-known leather worker/carver who finishes his leather in and recommends olive oil on his work.

I have used WD40 to smooth or remove paste from these strops. Spray on a paper towel and wipe, it will melt and smooth the paste and will completely remove most of the paste. You can never completely remove all the paste from leather. Once it gets into the pores it is there for life.

But, not to worry. Years ago, a few of us stropped and shave with the same razor daily on Chrome Oxide, for over a year to see what would happen. After a week or two, all the visible stria was removed, and the edge reached a plateau of very nice keenness and continued without any ill effect to the razor and edge. I have also use Ferrous Oxide extensively, it is finer than Chrome Oxide with much the same polishing properties, now days I use CBN.

So, you can clean the clear leather side removing as much paste as possible, though a little will remain on the clear side, but will do no harm. You could smooth or completely remove the pasted side and re-paste but probably what has happened is you leather has dried and wicked the oils from the pasted side.

Dampen you strop with a sponge with warm water wait 15-20 minutes for the water to wick into the leather, then apply Ballistol, Neatsfoot, or Olive oil sparingly. You can dampen the under side of the leather on the pasted side or both.

Apply few drops of oil on a paper towel applied to the leather. If you have dry spots you can blot the towel on the spots and let the leather wick the oil from the towel. Wait a few days to a week to see if the oil has spread out evenly and if needed re apply, dampening with warm water first and allowed to absorb. The water opens the pores of the leather and allows the oil to penetrate deep into the leather. Too much oil will clog the pores and rot the leather. I use about a half a teaspoon on a long hanging strop.