New canvas strop conditioner

I have a new strop and while it is quality canvas I cannot wait
for the linen/canvas half to break in.

I have applied a bit of TI white paste but I am wondering
if I should have tried something like common chalk
or diatomaceous earth dust. Both are slightly abrasive to
the fabric but not so abrasive that I would end up with a hone
in contrast to a strop. If I was talking about blue jeans I
would just wash with some bleach and hot water.:idea:

I almost did not ask because as long as a strop lasts it
might be 40 years before I need to know again.

Thoughts?

To tell you the truth I have never conditioned any cloth strop I have had. The vintage ones I have have been washed so they are plain. They seem to work well that way so I've never had the yen to condition them. The only stiff one I have is the cloth that came with my Japanese Cordovan strop. So I guess its one of those things some do and some don't.

This TI paste is not for everyday stropping use:
Attachment 34929
However the Dovo white paste is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by matt321

This TI paste is not for everyday stropping use:
Attachment 34929
However the Dovo white paste is.

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Thanks.
I think I might slurp the canvas cleaner with the warm water in
the upholstery attachment of my carpet cleaner after
I use the canvas a while and it gets broken in.....

I might snag some Dovo paste next time I hunt stuff on the web.

I think the cleaning/washing process might depend on what the canvas is. On an Illinois strop it seems plastic coated and I doubt any washing will change its texture. If a synthetic material it is unlkikely to change either. Now if it is an uncoated cotton/hemp/linen material it may soften up, it may stretch, it may shrink, or it may get stiff. Each cloth has its own unique qualities.
I usually leave it alone so I don't wind up with a surprise.

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by matt321

This TI paste is not for everyday stropping use:
Attachment 34929
However the Dovo white paste is.

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Whats the difference between the two? I thought they were both the same thing? IE: A chalk paste?

Nifty,

Tony's advice is sound as he's the guy who makes strops. We/you not knowing what your strop is made of or how/if it is treated can't make really sound decisions on how to modify it/them. Don't you just love it when those giving advice are stone cold sure of what needs to be done? Me too.

I'm among those who will/have say/said leave it alone and use it or if you want the bee's knees, talk to Tony to see if he'll sell you one of his plain linen strops. The cat could not have better pajamas. So to speak.

:beer2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stubear

Whats the difference between the two? I thought they were both the same thing? IE: A chalk paste?

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I don't have either but here is what was said in a previous thread:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sebell

They're totally different, the Dovo paste is for
more frequent use on the linen, and the TI paste
is a sharpening paste containing diamonds. The
TI paste is used much like CrO or diamond spray/
paste, though think it is coarser.

- Scott

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the post: http://straightrazorpalace.com/399774-post27.html
the thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...-everyday.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruce

Nifty,

Tony's advice is sound as he's the guy who makes strops. We/you not knowing what your strop is made of or how/if it is treated can't make really sound decisions on how to modify it/them. Don't you just love it when those giving advice are stone cold sure of what needs to be done? Me too.

I'm among those who will/have say/said leave it alone and use it or if you want the bee's knees, talk to Tony to see if he'll sell you one of his plain linen strops. The cat could not have better pajamas. So to speak.

:beer2:

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Thanks....
Have no fear -- as Tony indicated the linen of this Illinois feels
a... well a bit different than the linen of the +40 year old strop
that I lost in my last move. I know that there is no fair way
to compare the feel of a 40 year long friendship with the new kid.

If I get desperate I will try something inventive to bring it along.

For now I will just use it the way it is and see how it changes. I
suspect it will change into something good with some work.

Sort of like old time shrink to fit 501 jeans. You only buy them
in the late fall. The fabric is tight unconfortable but a bit warmer
which is fine in the winter. By mid summer they are broke in cool and
comfortable.

I am glad to see that Tony's shop is "closed for the holiday"
as it kept me from breaking my holiday rules that includes
not buying stuff for myself.

Yes I know that the three pucks of Mitchell Wool fat that I
just bought may look like they are for me but they are
Christmas gifts. Well at least two are. The PRORASO
Shaving Cream is for an Italian friend who's son age 17
has started shaving. I am matching that up with styptic pencil
a CVS $10.00 Brush/Bowl/soap kit two pucks of good soap
including one hypo allergenic soap. Also some very inexpensive
kitchen storage tubs so he can have all three pucks out to try.
He is a BiC shaver man but that should not deny him a good soap.

And yep, the other tubs of soap I bought for my girlfriend because she
likes it when I shave with a good smelling soap. OK I bent
my rule a bit there. I also have some other stockings to fill.

I use TI paste it realy is good stuff for 1 refreshing the edge and for finishing after honing it puts a sharp smooth edge on your razor its defanatley not for every day use you will see how black it turns on your cloth i have tm linen and its nice and soft and works realy well its the best i have tryed so far. Funny thing is i did the same thing with my first strop i pasted the leather with strop conditioner dovo yellow stripe and i coated the back canvas with TI i thought at the time its what i was meant to do. I have never used any strop conditioner on leather since as i did'nt like the surface after . TI paste on canvas works very well it will be the only sharpening paste you ever need

To clean your fabric second strop, try warm water, Woolite and a toothbrush. Then let it dry naturally laid flat. For stubborn staining, you might try spray carpet cleaner. Woolite makes this product also.

Treat your fabric gently because it is designed for delicate razor edges.
As someone just stated, Dovo paste is designed to create drag and TI is designed to remove steel. Choose wisely..........

Jerry
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I've been wondering about this myself and have been doing a fair bit of Google searching for linen/canvas strop conditioning methods of old. I have several vintage linen strops and they seem to have a chalked finish of some kind. They are definitely not uncoated.

The only references I've found so far for linen strop conditioning talked about rubbing shaving lather into the strop then smoothing with a glass bottle. I believe the text was written over 100 years old.

I'd love any other info on aged recipes for linen strop dressing.

Chris L

Thanks all!

I think I will just use it for a while and when it begins to go black and soften I will use a wet and dry shop vac to suck the paste from the lightly lathered but not soaking wet canvas.

I think my old strop had starch in it as a sizing and that like a starched shirt softens with wear.

I do have the "wants t'a have its" for a hand made strop.... I do have a birthday coming sometime in the next year after all.