Thread: Firehose Strops Project

Just chiming in here with my limited knowledge on the subject. I lucked into a couple of near-pristine sections a few years ago from a former member here who lives near me. Maybe they were never used, or someone else already did the prep work; either way, they came virtually ready to put together with hardware after a bit of steaming and ironing. loosening around a pole, etc. Mine with the huge D-rings seems far too heavy and coarse for straights, so I keep one side sprayed with .5 diamond spray, and the other side rubbed with CrOx. In that trim it is a dynamite post-honing regimen for my larger kitchen knives-usually about 15 swipes per side and finish-strop on jeans (still my favorite stropping surface!).


Also, Keith Johnson makes and sells lots of them on his TomoNagura website on Etsy, and seems to be as much an authority on them as he is in anything else straight/hone-related. I don't work for him, but have always got a great bang for my buck on his materials. I bought and sold a couple of his wonderful complete Shobudani jnat sets. I don't remember who or what he said his source was for the fire-hoses, but clearly he had or has a great one-does he sell individual sections?

Been scouring everywhere I can think of. Like trying to find a cheap labeled Escher in an antique shop.

I will second this on Keith's strops. He had two different kinds when I bought mine from him a Type 1 and a Type 2, the former being thicker and more coarse than the latter. I got the the type 2 and use it everyday, so far my favorite linen component.

You can’t use a hose that has been used, even NOS hose that has been stored or in a hose cabinet unused if full of dust.

If it was dragged in the dirt, you will never get all the dirt and grit out. If you use a harsh soap/cleaner you will rot the fibers, or if the hose was not dried properly it may already be rotted. I use woolite or the dollar store knockoff.and very diluted.

There are guys on the Bay selling hose, but “it’s the Bay” pay your money and take your chances. Look for NOS.

My fire hose strops are soft and flexible as a well washed cotton sock, they are the perfect strop for honing, and can be aggressive. I use mine unpasted.

(Oak Fanned English Shell), post 52 -56, is how I did it. I have had a vintage linen strop soaking for over 2 weeks now, I take it out every few days and scrub it.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

You can’t use a hose that has been used, even NOS hose that has been stored or in a hose cabinet unused if full of dust.

If it was dragged in the dirt, you will never get all the dirt and grit out. If you use a harsh soap/cleaner you will rot the fibers, or if the hose was not dried properly it may already be rotted. I use woolite or the dollar store knockoff.and very diluted.

There are guys on the Bay selling hose, but “it’s the Bay” pay your money and take your chances. Look for NOS.

My fire hose strops are soft and flexible as a well washed cotton sock, they are the perfect strop for honing, and can be aggressive. I use mine unpasted.

(Oak Fanned English Shell), post 52 -56, is how I did it. I have had a vintage linen strop soaking for over 2 weeks now, I take it out every few days and scrub it.

Thanks for the suggestions

After soaking/scrubbing/working for weeks I have a section I can leave I can leave in water all day and the water is still completely clear.
I think most hose people consider NOS was just from a private building emergency hose rack that was never used. Hose sitting in a "medicine cabinet" then stored properly should be in good shape.
I've used this one on a few razors and I have been really happy with the results. Softer and not as loud as my poly hose strop from another member, but still has nice feedback. I've shaved off of it without leather and there seems to be a marked improvement
I do want to use cleaner hose next time though! Boy do I ever want cleaner hose.

I don't see how you can get linen with this type of weave soft as a cotton sock. Maybe that was an exaggeration and you just meant it was really pliable and easy to work with? Sorry, OCD moment.

Just looked and that is actually one of the threads I read before starting. I used a towel rod since I didn't have a rolling pin though.

"I don't see how you can get linen with this type of weave soft as a cotton sock. Maybe that was an exaggeration and you just meant it was really pliable and easy to work with? Sorry, OCD moment".

No, it wasn’t.

Soaking in mild soap, scrubbing, rinsing in vinegar rinse water and rolling between soaking, relaxes the fibers. One on line linen cleaning site recommends soaking vintage linen in clear water for as much as 5 weeks to fully hydrate the fibers, before adding any detergent, bleach or Oxi-clean

My bride rinses our towels and linen in vinegar, added to the rinse cycle in the washer and they come out soft and whiter, removes the soap, it also cleans the tub of dried soap scum.

In your case, it appears the hose was well used and damaged when you received it, using Oxi-clean may have damaged the flax fibers further.

There are very specific direction for using Oxi-clean and especially rinsing it from the fabric. Additionally, Oxi-clean is not a detergent, it is a detergent booster of Hydrogen Peroxide, with clear warnings about concentrations and breathing the fumes.

"My fire hose strops are soft and flexible as a well washed cotton sock, they are the perfect strop for honing, and can be aggressive. I use mine unpasted."
You know, in checking mine out just now it is also much softer and more pliable than it was when I first mounted it up, presumably from being worked. But I still love this one in its role as a pasted knife strop.

It's so easy to get a new flax strop from Scrupleworks. Washing and soaking for weeks? Just buy one. Brandy new and be done with it. And used hose may be contaminated with who knows what? And who even knows if a hose has been used unless they bought it and stared at it for 50 or 60 years. Someone gave me some firehose. It was loaded with dirt and grime. I threw it away. You won't have to buy one again.

Originally Posted by Bill31521

It's so easy to get a new flax strop from Scrupleworks. Washing and soaking for weeks? Just buy one. Brandy new and be done with it. And used hose may be contaminated with who knows what? And who even knows if a hose has been used unless they bought it and stared at it for 50 or 60 years. Someone gave me some firehose. It was loaded with dirt and grime. I threw it away. You won't have to buy one again.

A fair point if you have the money and don't like learning new things.