Need Strop Advice

Hi Everyone,

Just picked up a old strop in excellent condition. No picture yet so I'll describe. 24" X 2 1/2" X 1/4 Name embossed in Gold is Massello Bros. Barber Supply Providence, RI. XXX Prime $10.00 It has linen on one side and heavy leather on other.

It's supposed to be from the 20's

My question is. Should I treat it with some leather conditioner to soften it and preserve it. If so what would any suggestions be. Neatsfoot Oil or other? or should I just leave the leather hard and stiff.

I plan on using it all the time.

Thank you.

If the strop you just purchased is in excellent conditon, that is no cracks, etc., then it shouldn't need any leather conditioner such as Neetsfoot oil. Just rub the palm of your hand up and down on the leather briskly 50-75 times each time you use it. That should deposit a sufficient amount of oil on the leather strop to condition it imho.

If you ever do use Neetsfoot oil, though, don't use too much. Place a little bit on a clean cloth and wipe it sparingly on the leather of the strop. Remember, a little goes a loooooong way.

I just fully restored a 70-80 year old strop for a gentleman. I read everything here and decided to use these methods from other's recommendations.

1. Because the leather and linen were held together with a metal clip and screws, I was able to separate the leather and linen. Also, there were no handles on the ends.

2. I mixed a batch of Williams mug soap and rubbed it generously into the leather and let it sit about 20 minutes. It needs to be a tallow based soap. Then, I took a smooth beer bottle and rubbed the lather vigorously into the leather. Let it dry and wiped with a clean cloth. I did this twice and the results were fantastic. Looked almost brand new when I was done.

3. I soaked the linen in a small tub of Woolite and warm water for an hour. Then I took the linen out, placed it flat on a towel and scrubbed with a bristle brush. I laid it flat on a counter and let it dry for 24 hours. It came nearly brand new clean.

4. I buffed all of the tarnish off of the nickle plating on the shackle and clip and reasembled.

The strop looks really nice, and the gentleman was very pleased with the results.

David

With use most strops are soft and supple. Some are also that way new and some come pretty stiff but the key, either way as you strop the surface should be smooth. If its like rock hard that's no good.

You might give it a good cleaning with a leather cleaning product and then use a conditioner or some oil. Personally I like Bick products.

Thanks everybody for the strop restoring advice. Since my post I found a leather dressing site called Pecard and sent them out the same questions.

They advertise an Antique Leather Dressing and it may be suitable for leather strops.

Will see what they say.

Thanks again. Will keep you posted.