Thread: Leather treatment for home made strop

Hi,

I made myself a paddle strop that is about 65mmx560mm (2.5" x 22"). The material is belt leather that I bought from a local market. I am going to use it as a pre-shave strop. I am wondering if i should treat the leather and, if so, what would be the best way to treat it? I had a look at this book (1905 shaving made easy) yesterday and it seemed to recommend rubbing lather into it. Not sure if i want to use up good shaving soap in this process and if there are other products that i could use that would improve the draw

A little neatsfoot oil if it needs softening.

Oakwood leather conditioner is great too. Again less is more Oakwood Products - Home

I don't agree with the whole "Lather rubbing" I have many leather products, and have never rubbed soap, lather, on them. Some soaps do contain Lanolin which would be a conditioner, but there is other stuff in soap that would dry out Leather. Just google leather conditioning. Use only Leather treatment products, I.E. Neetsfoot Oil, Mink Oil, Strop Conditioner, Leather Conditoner. I've cleaned old strops, boots, etc..with Saddle soap, and then re treated with Neetsfoot oil. Check this link: Leather is Leather....

How to Clean Leather

I have used glycerine a few times now and REALLY love the results ... it seems to slightly improve the draw, keeps the leather supple/pliable, without seeming to add "content" (oil, residue, build-up, etc.), or attract stuff like dust/dirt. Just enough to "shade" the leather (the shading will disappear as it dries), and you only need to apply occassionally ... e.g., not a "routine" treatment before every strop.