Thread: Help!!! Folded leather strop. How to remove?

I picked up a Zulu brand strop and it has a fold Halfway down the leather. What would be the Best method to manipulate it flat again. Thanks for the help

I wouls say to put a little neatsfoot oil on it ,than put it between two flat planks or books,and add some weights and leave it for a day or two-Thats what I would try,but Im no expert

What else might work for oil?

LEXOL, leather conditioner, Ive also used Glove oil with no ill effects,Im just throwing these out there two soften the leather so as to help take the crease out- you could try it without anything first if the crease isnt too bad, but some sort of strop dressing might soften it up for better results. hope this helps,by the way I used glove oil to restore an old strop that was dtied out and it worked perfectly.

pretty much the usual methods involve being pressed between books and hanging from weights or using a rolling pin on it. If it's a minor crease it should come out but if it is a deep crease those methods won't work. If nothing works the old nuclear option is soak it with water and allow it to air dry slowly and then treat with conditioner. That just about always works but you will be left with a stained strop and of course water and leather don't usually mix so it's an act of desperation.

I just repaired one that was folded from being in a barber case for many years. I tried treating the leather, laying flat, hanging, pressing between wood with weights. Nothing worked, and seeing how it was stained anyway, I washed it with warm water, dish soap, and the green side of the kitchen sponge (scotch brite pad). I then left it to dry out in the sun on a flat surface, then to dry an additional day laying flat inside. After that, I worked mink oil into the leather, and left a thick coat to sit for a couple of days rubbing it in a little each time I walked by. Then buffed the excess off with an old cotton rag. It looks and feels great now.

If you cant find the neatsfoot or Lexol oils, olive or vegetable oil will do.

Originally Posted by Adam_MA

I just repaired one that was folded from being in a barber case for many years. I tried treating the leather, laying flat, hanging, pressing between wood with weights. Nothing worked, and seeing how it was stained anyway, I washed it with warm water, dish soap, and the green side of the kitchen sponge (scotch brite pad). I then left it to dry out in the sun on a flat surface, then to dry an additional day laying flat inside. After that, I worked mink oil into the leather, and left a thick coat to sit for a couple of days rubbing it in a little each time I walked by. Then buffed the excess off with an old cotton rag. It looks and feels great now.

Glad it worked out for you but please don't put it out in the sun. The heat of the sun is too much and the UV is just about the worse thing. The strop should just air dry the slower the better.

Thanks for the tip, glad I didn't ruin this one, it's a family heirloom after all!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Glad it worked out for you but please don't put it out in the sun. The heat of the sun is too much and the UV is just about the worse thing. The strop should just air dry the slower the better.

Yup- what he said.