Thread: Dont try this EVER

well i went and got me a couple of illinois 206 strops

after trying it for a few days i decide i prefer a little more draw...
First i try Dovo yellow strop dressing, gets a little softer but not the draw i want
Trial two: Oil use what you got right?
I used baby oil first just a little, strop get softer no difference in draw.
And then i soak it in oil, now its pliable as soft rubber no draw at all
and if i squeese it oil comes out of it.
Been laying it flat lately rubbing with the back of a knife and wiping the exess with paper.
(i could use a steam roller i think)
Rubbing with soap works temporarelyas a fix but its not long before it starts seeping again.

Now does anyone have a remedy for this or is it just another example of why not to do this?

i still got another of those strops so its not catastropic for me

There is a way to diminish the oil in it but you must be careful. You can lay brown paper on it and use a clothes iron over the paper. Use a setting that is not too hot and it will wick out the oil It takes a while and the trick is not to get it too hot. Just warm enough to make the oil come out. Newspaper works also. It takes a lot of paper.
Remember, don't get it too hot. Heat is an enemy of leather.

hmm careful
not my best side actually
i will give that a try and hope i dont shrink it

Just a thought but auto parts stores sell bags of a material similar to cat litter to absorb oil spill on concrete. I would try something like that first. Also maybe PM Tony Miller and ask his advice. When it comes to strops he has seen it all.

Have you tried putting shaving lather on it and rubbing it with a smooth glass bottle. That usually squeezes out all the dirt and should remove a lot of the oil.

Try putting it in a bag of salt for a day or two. Make sure it is well covered. The salt should draw the oil right out of it but it might also dry out the strop too much if you aren't careful so you may have to recondition the strop after

a faster way might be to put newspaper on and under it and rub on top with a bottle or rolling pin., the newspaper will soak the oil

after getting and reading a lot of good advice
I have decided to do something stupid again
After all this is an experiment of sorts
I just bagged the strop in crystal soda
no ideah what will happen yet but i may add water to the mix later
(sorry guys saving the strop isnt as important as finding an alternative way of doing it)

I have read a way, but since it is INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, I wouldn't recommend it.

It involves soaking in gasoline, to giv eyou an indication.

Originally Posted by JimR

I have read a way, but since it is INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, I wouldn't recommend it.

It involves soaking in gasoline, to giv eyou an indication.

that sounds like fun to try