Thread: Lathering a strop

I have been talking with an old barber who believe it or not is 86 years old and still barbering. He used to shave his customers with a straight for many years. He told me never to put any kind of oil on a strop, including neatsfoot oil. He told me to get a good thick shaving lather up and put that on the strop and use a smooth glass bottle like a soda or beer bottle to rub back and forth on the strop. I was reluctant to do that to my strop but he insisted. I use the Walmart soap made by Van Der Hagen. It is good stuff. Anyway I was amazed. In only a minute the strop became supple like never before. When the surface dried it was really nice. I'm really glad I did that. He said to do that about twice a year or more.

Yup, I've become a strop latherer as well. I Ilike the way it conditions the leather. I only use tallow based soaps to do it, however FWIW.

I have done it with williams soap several times with different strops, all with great results. I actually think I get more use out of the williams for that purpose than lathering my face.....

I'm going to get a glass bottle right now. I'll be back in a few minutes.

I... am a believer Thank you!

I've been told that by an old barber years ago and I seem to remember reading it in a barber manual someone linked to the forum. Maybe in the help files but I've never done that. I've got an old stiff strop I may try that on. Thanks.

I have to give his a try, I was using olive oil,worked like a charm but this sounds interesting.

David

Could someone post a little more info on the procedure, i.e. is soap better than cream, do you leave it sit for a while, how much do you apply, and if there is excess do you wipe it off and with what?

Cheers

Originally Posted by McShaverson

I'm going to get a glass bottle right now. I'll be back in a few minutes.

Me too.

Whoops this one is full so I better fix it.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Me too.

Whoops this one is full so I better fix it.

LOL,good enough reason for me to try it out