Thread: Cleaning the linen

Is there any point in cleaning the linen part of a vintage strop?

If I buy an old used strop I do to remove ant dirt that may affect the edge. I use dish liquid and A nail brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat.

If you use paste on your strop you need to clean it occasionally to remove the buildup of excessive paste and possibly microscopic pieces of steel.

I am sure someone will come along and contradict my statement.

Originally Posted by Elnones

Is there any point in cleaning the linen part of a vintage strop?

Why wouldn't you?
Its not detrimental to the strop and you wouldn't have to use a strop full of dead skin, microscopic blood, metal and dust from someone you don't know.
Mild detergent like bouschie said with a medium stiff nylon brush and rinse many times till the water is clear.
You can add some weight to the bottom and hang it to dry. It will help it shrink less.

As they say "cleanliness is next to godliness".

Why would you use a strop that has been who knows where for how many years"

Break out the scrub brush and plenty of soap and hot water and get that baby to look like new.

That's your homework assignment and we want to see the results unless you want an "F".

If your lazy like me, chuck it in the washing machine.

I'd wash the leather also. Use saddle soap and scrub that bad boy with a soft brush. Someone will come along and say "you should NNNNEEEEEVVVV-er use saddle soap on a strop!" I just have this to pose to you concerning that. What is a saddle made of?...... Contrary to what anyone might say it will not hurt your leather as that is what it is made for. Besides, for the same reasons listed above you want to wash the funk from whatever other person(s) might have used it out. Let it lie flat or hang with a weight to dry then, if needed use a buffing motion with it over a smooth jar like shining a shoe. This will get rid of any curling or cupping an ooth out the surface. If you are concerned about it drying out then put some neatsfoot oil on it afterwards. Use light coats until it quits sucking it up then rub off the excess with and old sock, washcloth or T-shirt. Also, do yourself a favor and get pure neatsfoot instead of neatsfoot compound or "prime neatsfoot" as these can have petroleum distillates.

I agree. I just answered on the linen. I too wash the leather with saddle soap and A soft brush. When dry several coats of neetsfoot oil to back of leather. At this time if any minor cuts or voices I sand smooth up to 2500 grit. I have a 30 plus year old Hoffritz strop I have done this to several times and it is still my favorite.

So, I’ve used the saddle soap, but I won’t have the neatsfoot oil for about a week. Should I use the cleaned strop before I treat it with the neatsfoot?

Yes, you can use the strop. The neatsfoot is to give it moisture and keep it from drying out.

Wanted to thank folks for this common sense hygiene reminder…. Strops can be gooey.