Keeping the draw

After a while, the leather strop becomes smooth and the draw is gone. I thought I could use a pommel stone, it scratched the leather, then I used high grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool. These contaminated the leather. The best material I used was buffed leather or the rough side of the leather, no scratches or contamination. Oil very lightly and rub the strop with buffed leather and the draw came back. I really want to know how you keep the draw on the strop. If you have a better way, I am willing to try it. Juan

I just give the strop a good rub with my hand a couple of times a day, usually once in the morning before my shave and then in the evening before bed. The oil from your skin will keep the strop in good condition pretty much indefinately, plus its free and the rubbing helps keep the leather supple.

Sandpaper is more used to repair nicks and scrapes and I reckon theres a good chance of contamination if you use wire wool, so I'd avoid those.

If the strop is old and needs a lot of oil you can use something like Fromm strop dressing but for a new strop rubbing with your hands is all you need.

lots of people recommend lathering the strop and letting it dry. worked for me.