Thread: project strops

Originally Posted by ppetresen

Pretty cool projects. I have a strop I would really like to give a go at touching up but I don't really have ton confidence with leather to give it a go just yet. Looking forward to seeing how these turn out!

Well, I've only completed one in my life so far, but it was a lot easier than restoring a razor!

Nice bunch of Strops. Thanks for sharing.

I finally had a bit of time to work on these strops today. I sanded them down, brushed them with a horse hair brush and wiped them with a damp cloth. After I photographed them, I applied some saddle soap to the Clydesdale and the C-Mon (not to the Kanayama). The Clydesdale and the C-Mon each had a spot that I couldn't quite sand out (shown in the close-up photos), but still feels smooth enough to the touch that I doubt it will pose a problem while stropping. We'll see, I guess. Anyways, I'm happy how they turned out, especially the Kanayama (which was in great shape to begin with).

Well, I think the Clydesdale and the C-Mon are finished! They are nice and hydrated, very supple. I cleaned the linens, which was very necessary (see the bathtub photo after I was finished - gross!). They look great, and I can't wait to begin using them! They will still need a bit of a working in, so I probably won't use a razor on them for a week or two, but I'm very happy with the results.

The Red Imp was in great condition. I only cleaned it, and it doesn't look like it needs to be sanded in the end. I will probably put a bit of mink oil on it in a week or two, but it's pretty much ready to go. The linen component was pretty dirty as well. Unfortunately the stamp on the linen completely disintegrated when it touched water, which is too bad, it was really nice! But you can still see the remnants.

When I first started there were a lot of NOS strops on the market, and not so much anymore. Even nice vintage lines are rarely seen. Those three look like you will be able to enjoy them for some time.

Nice strops. I just cleaned a red imp linen and was curious how the stamp would hold through the soaking. Well this is the result. I soaked it in a plastic bucket and the water looked nasty as well.

Originally Posted by alex1921

Nice strops. I just cleaned a red imp linen and was curious how the stamp would hold through the soaking. Well this is the result. I soaked it in a plastic bucket and the water looked nasty as well.

yeah, exactly the same! what a shame

Yup, not found a way to clean linen and preserve the stamps, they do clean up well with a bit of soaking and scrubbing. A vinegar soak and rinse will get all the soap out of the weave. Soap will collect dirt and dust. Dirt on a strop, linen or leather is not a good thing.

Nothing like vintage linen. I do believe stropping is way underrated and vintage flax linen is way, way under rated.

Nice work, beautiful strops.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup, not found a way to clean linen and preserve the stamps, they do clean up well with a bit of soaking and scrubbing. A vinegar soak and rinse will get all the soap out of the weave. Soap will collect dirt and dust. Dirt on a strop, linen or leather is not a good thing.

Nothing like vintage linen. I do believe stropping is way underrated and vintage flax linen is way, way under rated.

Nice work, beautiful strops.

I'm happy that I was able to preserve the stamps on the Clydesdale and the C-Mon, at least! Although I did slip with my brush and smear the lower stamp on the Clydesdale, but it's not bad. It just looks a little faded.