Thread: Neatsfoot Oil

Hiya,
I have a SRD 2" strop that came with my Dovo 6/8 straight razor. I am wondering if anybody uses Neatsfoot oil on thier strops when new to help soften them or break them in. I also have some mink oil.

Thanks in advance

I use neatsfoot oil, SRD sells it too.

Originally Posted by Muguser

Hiya,
I have a SRD 2" strop that came with my Dovo 6/8 straight razor. I am wondering if anybody uses Neatsfoot oil on thier strops when new to help soften them or break them in. I also have some mink oil.

Thanks in advance

I know that Lynn recommends it. I have good success with the old barbers trick of using lather and a bottle to rub it in.

I have neatsfoot oil, but am reluctant to use it. This is based on nothing having to do with shaving. I have a leather saddle on my bike and am frequently warned against using neatsfoot oil because the saddle will stretch too much. This may be an advantage in strops, for all I know.

Goog

Don't use anything with a new strop. Just occasionally rub and massage the strop with your fingers and hands (make sure they are clean). Also give it some time to break in from stropping. Only use oil when the strop really gets dry or much later down the road. A little goes a long way.

I agree with Max. No oil on new strops! Besides, SRD sells their strops ready to use. I suggest that if the strop is not performing the way you think it should you need to change your way of thinking. I'm not trying to be sarcastic, just trying to help you keep your tools in working order.

++++++1 on the previous posts. Your new strop's leather side doesn't need any neetsfoot oil to soften or break it in.

If you want to prep it, rub the leather vigorously with the palm of your hand until it feels warm before stropping. That will prep it and over time will transfer oil from your hand to treat it and break it in.

IMHO that's all the oil your strop needs.

The Latigo strops start off a little slick as they have an oil and wax layer. This can be removed by rubbing your hand over it daily until the palm is warm and it will break in in a relatively short time and you end up with a very nice draw. As they break in, you may also see a little leeching. This does not hurt anything and you can just brush off the little particles you feel with your hand. You can use a little neatsfoot oil to speed the process, but your really need to use is sparingly. Mink oil will work too but needs to be rubbed in a little more in my opinion. I always let the strop sit over night after an application. As the advice above indicates, treating a strop usually is not necessary unless it starts to stiffen up a little.

Have fun,

Lynn

My advice would be, don't use it. Just use your hand.

Ok - ok! I got all the guilt that I need for one day!

I admit it. I did it!
I used that darned Neatsfoot on one of Lynn's nice strop's from SRD. The Buffalo strop.

Did I screw it up? I only put a little.....

Originally Posted by PLanzaSr1957

Ok - ok! I got all the guilt that I need for one day!

I admit it. I did it!
I used that darned Neatsfoot on one of Lynn's nice strop's from SRD. The Buffalo strop.

Did I screw it up? I only put a little.....

Just a little..
Should be no problem...