Is this strop any good?

Hi - I received a few things from an uncle who passed away, including a Geo. Worthington Co #108 leather strop. At the top it says "Finish" and "Independent Russia" and at the bottom "Monark Trade Mark". It looks like it has never been used. I have no experience with a strop and an interested in playing with it. But before I do anything, I'd like to have a feel for what it is I have. Is this a good strop to try to use? Is it some vintage strop that I should not risk doing anything to/with? I spent a lot of time unsuccessfully searching the web and this forum looked like the best place to ask. Thanks for your advice and expertise!

Hello,

The strop looks good. It may need to be "oiled" due to its age and I am sure that someone here will chime in with the specifics on what oil to use, and how much ( darn little each time). The white portion of the strop is called "Linen". Its purpose is to clean the edge of the razor before you use the leather side.
That strop is too good to learn on. If you intend to use it then first buy a beginner's strop.
Please note that a strop is not made for sharpening a straight razor. Its use is to apply the final touch to a razor's edge just before shaving.

Hope this helps,

The "Finish," refers to final finish not "Finnish," as in from Finland.

You use the linen side if your razor needs more work than just cleaning, aligning and polishing. You would do that first and then "finish" on the side so marked.

Wow! That one is unused and really old.
Wipe down a bit with a damp tea towel and some light oiling..I like mink oil without silicones.
Goes slow, but you can usually stop at the best time. I overdid a few with other methods.

So only a skilled stropper should lay a blade to it as a cut would be so sad. :D

Outback sez an old belt will do!

So that is basically a new old stock strop. Not what I would pick for a stater strop. If you want to learn to strop and shave, presuming that’s where you are going, a lesser strop would be a better starter.

Yep. Practice on a old leather belt. Your gonna make a few mistakes learning to strop. We all did.

An old belt is what my dad always used. I still have his belt strop. As said, you have a real prize there. Cuts happen quick and easy and that would really suck.

That it very nice. Do like the guys say, tiniest bit of oil rubbed in with damp cloth. Id do that once a month for a few months and hand it up as a prize to look at. Its so perfect even a quality stropper like most of us would not use it. Keep it new.

I am really glad I posted to you all! I will check - I think I have some mink oil and will carefully rub just a bit into it. And I will not use this as a learning strop :-) I appreciate the advice.

My advice to you is different. Either use the damn thing or get rid of it. Shaving equipment was meant to be used, not to look at! While it is a nice pristine strop, a razor needs to glide across it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbthuis

I am really glad I posted to you all! I will check - I think I have some mink oil and will carefully rub just a bit into it. And I will not use this as a learning strop :-) I appreciate the advice.

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I would not put anything on it unless it is obviously dry and does not flex well.
Try rubbing with your hand up and down it while hanging several times a day to loosen the fibers and make it more supple first.
Do not over flex it - go slowly.
If it is VERY stiff and resistant to flexing then maybe a tiny bit of oil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

My advice to you is different. Either use the damn thing or get rid of it. Shaving equipment was meant to be used, not to look at! While it is a nice pristine strop, a razor needs to glide across it!

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So I won't mind giving up your 1911... Your not using it, right. :roflmao

You can put too much oil on it. I have a vintage strop that I went too far with, I can strop and oil a razor at the same time. Give it some time between applications, and be very conservative with how much you use.

I over oiled one. Moistened a rag with rubbing alcohol and made a few wipes. Brought it back to where it needed. Wip, let dry. Repeat till it's good again. :shrug: