Thread: Rolls Razor Strop

Out of curiosity I purchased a Rolls Razor 'Imperial No.2' (manufactured c.1935) a while ago, but have yet to use it. All the metalware including the blade seems to be in very good shape indeed, as does the incorporated hone in one of the lids, but the strop in the other lid (approx 5"x2") although not too worn, is very grimy.

I have never had to really clean a leather strop before, and am not at all sure how to go about actually removing the greasy grime, cleaning and re-dressing. Any help you can give (I can slide the little strop out of the lid without any problem) would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, now that I have had the opportunity of finding out for myself how the mechanism automatically pushes the blade forwards against the hone, but drags backwards on the strop, I have to say this is an astonishing invention.
Thanks again.

There is/was someone selling replacement strips in the classifieds. That being said, saddle soap and neatsfoot oil are your friends. I picked one up off the bay but it needs a new hone. I'd love to get it working and shave with it.
Good luck with getting yours cleaned up and working.

Originally Posted by bharner

There is/was someone selling replacement strips in the classifieds. That being said, saddle soap and neatsfoot oil are your friends. I picked one up off the bay but it needs a new hone. I'd love to get it working and shave with it.
Good luck with getting yours cleaned up and working.

Cheers!

I never thought of sharpening the Rolls blade on a regular hone, because of the guard round the blade itself. However there is an interesting post by tat2Ralfy in the 'Shaving With Safety Razors - Rolls Razor' thread where he describes removing the guard and-then-what. You might like it. Here's to you.

You can sharpen the rolls with the guard on. A few strokes on the 1k to set the bevel, Then a 4k, 8k pyramid and finish on the 12k gives a great edge. Rolls are a joy to use.