Thread: Flattening strops and leather in general

I posted another thread here about cleaning a vintage strop, but now I have some questions on the flattening it. I'm also asking this, because I've found some leather that I like for stropping, but want to know how to get it flat.

What do you guys who have experience with flattening strops or leather recommend for getting leather to lay nice and flat?

Using a jar or rolling pin will do a good job. Also, using a flat butcher block or cutting board that will cover the whole piece with a weights on top for a few days usually does the trick.

Originally Posted by claytor

Using a jar or rolling pin will do a good job. Also, using a flat butcher block or cutting board that will cover the whole piece with a weights on top for a few days usually does the trick.

How do you use the rolling pin? Just like you would on dough?

Last but not least you have the nuclear option where you soak the leather in water and let it slowly air dry. That always works where other methods fail. Usually a byproduct of that is staining.