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,