Thread: Zulu quality? old paste?

Hello everybody,

Just bought an old strop called the "Zulu chief" made by SuntorBach in Adrian, Mich. I tried getting some info on the web for the company or the name but didn't find any. Then I saw in an ebay auction on one of the strop "Zulu quality". Does this mean anything or is just a marketing name? The strop is in ok condition, both side are leather but one is more textured like russian leather. While cleaning the strop I could see clear red staining on my cleaning towel on the finish side and black staining on the sharpen side. So I'm afraid the strop might have been pasted in the past. Since it is my first and only strop i'm hesitant to use it as an everyday strop? Should I? Could I? If so what should I do?

Thanks in advance for the incredible knowledge available on this board.

Robert
Mtl, Quebec

The model name is probably just that and in modern times I suspect a tad politically incorrect.

We would need to see a photo to tell about the surface. Usually in new strops the tanning media will come off the first few times you rub it but in a vintage strop that's unusual. Could be you're correct it has paste on it.