Thread: NOS vintage strop coming my way whats best for it?

Hello Guys,

I've got a lovely old Dorko strop coming my way, NOS still got its wrapper on it. My question to you fine gentlemen is what do I do to it to get it to its best usable self? I'm a leathercrafter so I know quite a lot about leather just not so much about vintage strops. I made my own years ago and it's been great and that was from a thick 3/4mm bridle leather (factory dyed black) for horse straps, it took a long time to get it conditioned but its real shiny and nice now.

I've asked the gent to roll it not fold it which he has and said it was pretty touch to do but he did it. From the photos I've seen it doesn't look to dry but as you well know its only when you get it in hand to really know.

I've got a soft beeswax conditioner, mink oil and neats foot oil? what do we thick is the best? on the back only? front back? front only?

Its got a hemp linen side to it which is interesting as I brought a load of hemp herringbone linen to make a strop which I will do and now I get to try it out before I even make one.

Thanks

P.S I'll post some photos up when I get it

You need to be careful about changing the surface of the strop. Old school says only treat the back of the strop if necessary & just rub the surface with your hand before use.
Need to wait & see how it looks & works when it arrives.

I think over the years all of my vintage strops may have gotten a tad of Bick Conditioner maybe once. It's best to let them be if the leather is in good shape. Strops with Cordovan Leather get nothing period. Of course if it's in rough shape you may want to try some oil from the back side but I wouldn't make any plans until you see it in the flesh.

Good advise given. FME, neatsfoot is to be avoided. Mink oil goes slow so as not to overdo, but be certain it has no silicones.

Get some pics up as you receive. I like seeing strops!