Thread: Need help identifying strop

Hey guys,

here's my craftsman strop. It's in pretty good shape. I don't know what the cut/leather means. I'd like to know how the leather would compare to newer strops offered by SRD and other current makers.

Thanks!

Butt horsehide would seem to indicate it's a cordovan strop which is the best you can get. Whether it received cordovan processing is another story but that's my guess.

Great! The draw is very minimal. Is that normal? Do people typically use that material as a polisher type of strop or ?

thanks

JF

That's normal...Actually, those cordovan strops with the slick finish or Scotch Shell is what you'd find in many Barber shops....

Is the lack of any draw affecting how it's refining the edge? Any suggestions on how to approach stropping with it? (i.e more passes, etc)

Do the palm of the hand rub a couple of dozen times on the leather before stropping. IME that will increase the draw somewhat. Good for the strop too as the natural oils from your hand will condition it some. Nice vintage strop you got yourself there.

how would you recommend I restore it? Using lather and beer bottle?

JF

Iron it, seriously! Set the iron at temperature recommended for silk, put a moist towel in between, works a treat. If you're worried this treatment will extract the last of the oils out of the leather you can treat it with neatsfootoil one or 2 days before.

Interesting suggestion! Never heard of such treatment before. I'll keep that in mind.

JF

Dups, Be Careful...I've seen lots of guys screw up beautiful strops by doing crazy things to them...Most strops, and manufacturer's recommend just rubbing it with the palm of your hand...If it's in bad shape, you can clean it with Saddlesoap, and treat afterwards with a very small amount of neetsfoot oil...Pretty much the same way you clean/treat any good leather...I know I've read about soaping up the strops..I disagree...You wouldn't soap a nice leather jacket, right...Why do it to a beautiful strop...

As far as draw goes, I've never seen any data stating the more draw equasl a sharper edge....Lot's of draw, or minimal draw, the strop will do it's job...My two cents....