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  1. #1
    Senior Member doleeo's Avatar
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    Default Vintage Sears "Crafstman" Strop

    Well, I was feeling a little impulsive and put a bid in on this strop on eBay.

    It's marked "Scotch Tanned Butt Hide" so I am assuming it is horsehide.

    It appears to be a little wrinkly and was curious how I should go about straightening it out?

    As for the Leather, I plan on giving it a light sanding then cleaning it with some saddle soap, then a little neatsfoot oil.

    As for the cloth side (looks like cotton), should I just give it a good rub down with a moist cloth?
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    Last edited by doleeo; 12-28-2009 at 12:09 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Just from the photos if it was mine I wouldn't do more than hang it and use it. When you pull it taut it should flatten out just fine ... I think. I've washed a bumpy vintage linen in Woolite and cold water and dried it flat with good results but your linen looks good in the photo. That is what I would do. YMMV.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  3. #3
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    Dang! I have yet to get a decent, vintage strop on ebay or the antique stores.

    LOL...congrats and +1 with Jimmy's advice. It looks in pretty good shape.

    Mac

  4. #4
    50 year str. shaver mrsell63's Avatar
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    Default NICE FIND

    JIMMY IS RIGHT. LEATHER AND CLOTH BOTH LOOK IN DECENT SHAPE. NO DIRT OR RESIDUE ON THE CLOTH. USE THEM AS IS.
    NICE FIND......... JERRY
    JERRY
    OOOPS! Pass the styptic please.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Croaker's Avatar
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    I was watching that strop and dropped out when the price went up. You got a good one. Craftsman did not make any poor products, and that strop looks to be in excellent and useable condition.

  6. #6
    Electric Razor Aficionado
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    I've got a Craftsman strop that was NOS when I got it, and it's my favorite vintage strop. The linen was wrapped in wax paper then it was sewn to the leather at the top and the handle sewn onto the bottom, right through the wax paper. I suspect it was done this way to ensure that the white paste on the linen remained intact until the buyer got it home. It was still in that condition when I got it. Lovely, lovely strop.

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