Thread: Clean up work on vintage strops. Help needed.

I just recently got a vintage G. Amodeo or something like that Genuine Shell strop and have a few questions about cleaning it.
I've tried the whole neatsfoot and rubbing thing, but the leather part (shell is horse, no?) is still not getting flat. Should I lay something flat on top of it?

As for the linen, I've gotten it pretty flat, but every time I run something over it firmly, some soapy water comes out and I don't know how to actually rinse it fully. Also, do you think that bleach would help in making the linen whiter, since in its current state, it looks too yellowed and nasty to use?
The whole strop also stinks of mildew and I doubt that I can wash it in a washing machine or something, so what have you guys done to get rid of that "old dead thing" stink that comes with your strops (and most antiques really)? Even my hands stink of mildew now that I've been trying to clean the damn thing.

if i remember correctly mold dies in strong sunlight
then mild chlorine and starting fresh at refurbishing(if the strop didnt die in the prosess)

So I have worked with other vintage leather for other projects and other uses.

But.....here is my method of cleaning/de must/mold of a quality peice of vintage leather.

1. Brush off any debris with a stiff natural hair brush
2. With a damp (not wet) clean the surface of any dirt/visable mold ect.
4. Pat dry until it is not damp
3. Place item in direct sunlight for a few days to weeks depending on peice/condition. (The natural UV will sterilize and kill mold/mildew). Remember though if left in the sun too long it will/can bleach the color of the leather.
4. Take the leather lay it flat inside a plasic garbage bag with a freshly opened box of baking soda (just cut the top off the box). I also tend find something to lift the bag so there is some air space to the box is not covered by the bag. Seal/close shut.
5. Let sit for a few hours. The baking soda will absorb most if not all of the smell
6. Treat/clean leather as you choose. (ie saddle soap, needsfeet oil, ect)


I lean against cleaning chemicals on leather as they dry out/damage leather.


Hope this helps.

For the linen I did indeed wash it with shampoo and dish detergent and used a mild bleach soak to get rid of what was on my strop restored. I never had an issue with my leather getting soaked though so i don't know that i can offer any advice. If you'd like you can see my trials here: Restored strop and turned brush - Straight Razor Place Forums

I tend to agree with claytor about the linen or fabric... shampoo/soap/minor bleach wash should do it.

The only thing i would say is keep it way from the leather while cleaning if all possible...even maybe covering the leather with plasitc to keep water off. I am not sure how your strop is put togeather.

Thanks for your tips so far.
I'm wondering if you have any tips on how to get the actual leather straight. What I used to do when I was into custom/restored sneakers (yea sounds weird, but so does straight shaving) was to wrap the sneaker in a wet shirt and iron it. Could I do that with strop leather or would that ruin it even if there's a wet shirt between the steam iron and the strop?

maybe steam shrinking would work
I plan to stretch a piece of leather on a board tomorrow and try
(its not usable now so why not?)
ill be back with results if you got the patience

Originally Posted by janivar123

maybe steam shrinking would work
I plan to stretch a piece of leather on a board tomorrow and try
(its not usable now so why not?)
ill be back with results if you got the patience

I'd love to hear how it goes. Thanks

well it went unexpectedly bad when the leather dryed unevenly and started to curve
(leather for scale material anyone?) its about half the size too
OK last piece backside up keeping it wet and heating a bit more carefull
so far about 7-8 inches of the strop is smoth, the rest didnt improve much but apart from being pretty stiff now i dont think theres any damage

conclution: this was a werry crude attempt that in my opinion can be improved to actually work pretty well(i would suggest using less heat as i used full linen setting)

so the info here is that yess you will ruin the leather if you overheat
if not it will only harden, and that can be remedied pretty easely

Any update on how your strop worked out? or didn't work out?