An old strop I had been flattening for 2 years!

Hey guys,

I had posted about this strop quite a while ago. An eBay find, that I won for a decent price, but showed up with a significant fold wrinkle a third of the way down. A bit disappointing cause it’s really in great shape other than that one issue. I’ve had it in between a giant stack of drywall I have in my basement for I believe 2 years. :D

The wrinkle is a lot better. Not perfect, but I think it’s at least usable now. Is there anything else I can do to help remove it more? Maybe a light neatsfoot oil rub and then a rolling pin??? Maybe just the oil and some use.....

Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to giving it a test run.

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Just took it for a test run with a heavy W&B. Couldn’t feel the wrinkle at all! That makes me happy! Look at the brown on my hand from the strop. I don’t think this one had been used that much. Has a great medium to light draw.

Oh man..... Excited!

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Hey mate! A good rub with a glass jar might work and would burnish your strop too.

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Hey mate! A good rub with a glass jar might work and would burnish your strop too.

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Maybe tonight after a Moosehead. High-five brother, I’ll give er a go!

Win, win! :beer2:

I would employ both of what you've mentioned. I too picked up a old barbers strop (deceased) from his daughter. She had stored it, folded as you speak.

Many of days rehydrating with neetsfoot, lots of flexing/ roller pinning. Still a slight crease, but works great. And its as soft as a leather jacket, with a touch of back bone left in it.

The odd thing about this strop is, its tapered. Thicker at the hardware, and gets thinner to the other end. Its my magic strop, for what it does to a freshly honed edge, and its ability to revive a failing edge.

Its been used so much, the surface of the leather has become polished, and reflective, with a smooth medium draw. Russian tanned, if you want to know.

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Like Mark said, rub it with glass

I have ironed many storps successfully. Only exception: Dovo strop.

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Originally Posted by outback

I would employ both of what you've mentioned. I too picked up a old barbers strop (deceased) from his daughter. She had stored it, folded as you speak.

Many of days rehydrating with neetsfoot, lots of flexing/ roller pinning. Still a slight crease, but works great. And its as soft as a leather jacket, with a touch of back bone left in it.

The odd thing about this strop is, its tapered. Thicker at the hardware, and gets thinner to the other end. Its my magic strop, for what it does to a freshly honed edge, and its ability to revive a failing edge.

Its been used so much, the surface of the leather has become polished, and reflective, with a smooth medium draw. Russian tanned, if you want to know.

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Like Mark said, rub it with glass

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The W&B I just shaved with, really liked it. The edge felt very fresh and comfortable. Considering that, it’s going to get a lot more use!

I think it is a sign that you have to many projects going on if you can forget about 1 for two years........:D

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Originally Posted by 32t

I think it is a sign that you have to many projects going on if you can forget about 1 for two years........:D

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You’re not wrong there.

I have just finished doing what I could with a vintage Biber strop which was in much much much worse shape than yours. Initially, I thought the main problem was that it had been folded.

As time went on, and I moisturised the strop, the creases where it had been folded became entirely invisible. The leather did crack during the moisturising and flexing process, which could have been due to my technique or the fact that the leather is old and shot. Or maybe a bit of both.

Regardless, even after being folded and with cracks, it is now my favourite strop.

The lesson for me is, the only real test is how well a strop strops, and you might be surprised.

(Full account including before and after pictures here: https://sharprazorpalace.com/strops/...ml#post1905668)

Rolling on a hanging rolling pin will get it out, make sure it is well hydrated and go slowly bending a little at a time and continuing to hydrate with a spray of water or damp sponge and few drops of oil on both sides.

It may take a few days to get it to fully bend around the roller, roll a bit let it rest and hydrate for a few hours, then bend and roll a bit more. If you feel or hear it crack, stop and hydrate more and wait for it to absorb.

Rolling and hydrating will smooth and flatten a strop. You can pick up a rolling pin at a dollar or thrift store.

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My goodness, you never know what you might learn from this site. Thanks to all of you.