Old Canvas with Paste

[BigJim]

So, I've been reading up on strops and strop techniques, but haven't run across this one yet and wanted to run it by you guys as it's my situation.

I picked up an antique strop off of the bay that came with a canvas strip that's in really good shape, but is coated (somewhat sporadically) in red paste. I have no idea how old the paste is, if it needs to come out, how to get it out if it does, or if it can be used as it is. I'd assume pastes don't have expiration dates, but not sure how to handle this one.

Thanks guys,

[gssixgun]

Iron Oxide, Rouge, Dovo Red, no telling which of them...

I normally clean old linen strops in the big utility sink using very hot water, a very stiff nylon brush, and powdered laundry detergent... This will get them pretty clean...

I re-condition them with common blackboard chalk and spray starch...

Make sure you dry them laying on a flat surface, and flipping them every few hours until dry...

[BigJim]

Thanks Glen,
So you suggest cleaning it off then?

Can I ask why you use the starch? There's not much in this world that I'm allergic to, but starch is a no-go for me. I'd hate to see what it would do if residue on a razor got into fresh skin during a shave!

[gssixgun]

Why is pretty stupid hehehehe The barber that taught me about straight razors 30 years ago told me that was what he did, and it has worked since...

I guess hair spray or perhaps water could work too or maybe just the chalk, I honestly have never done it any other way...
I have tried the Dovo white it works good and I have tried the TI also and it works really good but it is a tiny bit abrasive...
I also tried plain old Turtle Wax Polishing compound and it is better then both the others for "smoothness" but it turns black very fast...

Oh yeah I would clean it off, if I don't know what it is I won't use it...

[DevilBlade]

Just a thought...the spray starch is probably to hold the chalk in and nothing more. So if the hairspray idea doesn't work, you might want to look into an artist's fixative, maybe for pastels. If it will keep pastel dust from coming off paper, it should hold chalk to a strop. Hairspray's probably cheaper and better smelling, though. Either way, you'll probably want to clean the blade with something like alcohol before using it. Good luck, man!

[BigJim]

I've got the nylon brush, hot water, and turtle wax. Do you have to clean out the turtle wax when it turns black? I've only ever used it in automotive applications.

Chalk is easy to come by, and I've actually got fixative-but I'd worry about it and hair spray gumming things up. I might just try the strop with chalk on it.

Question: Do you chalk the strop while it's still wet? Or do you wait for it to dry and then chalk it?


Thanks for the tips Glen and DB,

[DevilBlade]

Question: Do you chalk the strop while it's still wet? Or do you wait for it to dry and then chalk it?


Thanks for the tips Glen and DB,

You're more than welcome, BigJim, but please keep in mind I'm new to the whole canvas strop thing so I can't speak with any authority.

With that said...Glen, would you please discuss your method in more detail? We would both love to improve what we are doing. Thank you.

[BigJim]

You're more than welcome, BigJim, but please keep in mind I'm new to the whole canvas strop thing so I can't speak with any authority.

With that said...Glen, would you please discuss your method in more detail? We would both love to improve what we are doing. Thank you.

Thanks for being upfront and authentic with your experience. I'm sure when Glen gets a break from tutoring, honing, rebuilding, crafting, and generally being a killer guy he'll fill us in.

Glen, we wait with baited breath (chicken livers).

Peace,

[PhatMan]

BigJim,

+1 on GSSixguns cleaning method. I use Arial automatic washing machine 'tablets' - they dissolve easily and do not foam.

After the cleaning treatment, when the strop is nearly dry, I press it using a steam iron and a cloth - this gets it nice and flat; leave to dry and treat or not with chalk etc.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

[BigJim]

Big Thanks guys!
I soaked the strop in warm water for a few hours, then scrubbed it with a nylon brush until it was clean. I discovered under the red compound was a white substance that was unidentified but looked similar to cured oil paint that's been soaked and scrubbed. No idea what it was. But I dried the strop over several days, flipping a checking it regularly, and then ground a stick of white chalk into it. I did not press with an Iron (simply forgot), and did not use starch as I don't have it handy and didn't want to use a chemical adhesive.

BUT, after cleaning I stropped my Genco on the canvas before taking it to my leather and WHALA! She's shaving beautifully once again!

Unfortunately this also verified that my other two razors are not honed up properly and I can't get them there by stropping (at least there was no improvement after a significant amount of attention).

My Genco has been restored to smooth shaving wonder, and I'm confident that's due in large part to having the canvas up and running, so to speak.

Thanks again guys!