Hi All,

Back in 2009 I bought a Simco Strop, made in Pakistan. Amazon.com: Simco Razor Strop * Cowhide/canvas 1-3/4" X 20": Health & Personal Care

From the moment it arrived I thought it was subpar. Very stiff and very dry leather. Barely flexable. Stropping just didn't feel right at all...and I thought I just needed to condition the strop and break it in. Applied some neatsfoot oil...texture was much better. It looked a deeper brown than a light tan. So I thought I was going in the right direction. Still stropping was not very successful. Not sure if this is because I am a newb or if this strop is just that bad...or maybe a combination of the two. Possibly too much oil. Anyone know how to "unapply" neatsfoot oil? Anyone else go through this? Is the strop complete garbage, or can I use it as a paste strop? Can something be done to condition this thing into a usable strop? I think you see where I am going with this.

After all that discouragement I went to DE shaving and finally got the close shave I was hoping to get out of straight razor shaving. I'd like to go back and see about getting my straight razor's edge back up to shave ready.

Thanks guys!