Thread: Neil Miller Horsehide

Hello

Been a member here for quite some time though I'm afraid I havent posted much as yet...apologies .

Just ordered a Horsehide strop from Neil Miller {a member here I believe }.
Just wanted to say that I've been using one of his Cowhide strops for about a year now along with my Latigo Tony Miller strop and I'm extremely pleased with both .
Both are top notch items and are worlds away from the likes of Dovo and other massed produced strops { The first Dovo I had seperated from the plastic ends they sew on within a week}.

Anyone any advice to offer regarding getting the best performance out of my Horsehide when it arrives ??

Rich

Sometimes I do linen followed by latigo with the heavier draw and then follow that with horsehide with it's very light draw to finish. Dunno if it is any more effective than anything else but it is fun. As far as treating the horse I just do the rubbing with the palm of the hand thing once in a while. Enjoy your new strop.

I agree with Jimmy on the treatment. Horsehide has little draw. That's the way it's meant to be & as a consequence can be a very fast strop. I wouldn't go oiling it to increase that. A rub with your palm now & then should be enough conditioning.

Yup I agree with palming the leather ,I always give my other strops a good old rub prior to every use.
As I've never owned/used a Horsehide before I just wanted to get the best out of it.
There is rather good information on the web site Hand Made Horse Hide Hanging Razor Strop.

Something nice about handmade dont you think?

Originally Posted by Richy

Hello

Been a member here for quite some time though I'm afraid I havent posted much as yet...apologies .

Just ordered a Horsehide strop from Neil Miller {a member here I believe }.
Just wanted to say that I've been using one of his Cowhide strops for about a year now along with my Latigo Tony Miller strop and I'm extremely pleased with both .
Both are top notch items and are worlds away from the likes of Dovo and other massed produced strops { The first Dovo I had seperated from the plastic ends they sew on withinn a week}.

Anyone any advice to offer regarding getting the best performance out of my Horsehide when it arricves ??

Rich

Thanks Rich - much obliged!

As described, this is like the old russian horse hide - stiffer than usual. It is exceptionally fine grained, and very, very strong - blunts cutting tools in no time when you are making strops from it! On some pieces there is also a pleasing natural marking.

It has very little draw like others have said, but this is usually the reason for buying it. It will probably require some pre-conditioning as described in the item description but try it as-is first to see how you get on. The conditioning steps are quite easy. I have one I use conditioned with saddle soap and neatsfoot (the saddle soap is "soft soap" - glycerine and oil rich) and it really does make the strop much more supple and much less prone to any cupping. The process does darken the leather though, which is why I decided not to do it to the strops I have advertised.

Even after conditioning, particularly if you omit or are very sparing with the neatsfoot oil, the draw is only slightly increased.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Thanks Rich - much obliged!

As described, this is like the old russian horse hide - stiffer than usual. It is exceptionally fine grained, and very, very strong - blunts cutting tools in no time when you are making strops from it! On some pieces there is also a pleasing natural marking.

It has very little draw like others have said, but this is usually the reason for buying it. It will probably require some pre-conditioning as described in the item description but try it as-is first to see how you get on. The conditioning steps are quite easy. I have one I use conditioned with saddle soap and neatsfoot (the saddle soap is "soft soap" - glycerine and oil rich) and it really does make the strop much more supple and much less prone to any cupping. The process does darken the leather though, which is why I decided not to do it to the strops I have advertised.

Even after conditioning, particularly if you omit or are very sparing with the neatsfoot oil, the draw is only slightly increased.

Regards,
Neil

Thanks mate
Really looking forward to getting it ,please send quick !!
Got to thank you for the Chromium Oxide powder too ,this stuff is really excellent .Never got on well with the Dovo red and green stuff .The edge I can get now is amazingly smooth.

Rich