Selective Strops

Ah yes, the apparent newbie, that I am. There have been a few threads on these ebay strops. I myself prior to joining bought one. It did only cost me 11 bucks includign shipping. It has a 21" thick leather strop. the leather is not very smooth though. My first thought is to sand it down smooth. The other strop attatched is a black material that appears to be like a vinyl with felt backing. Is this at all usefull. It not i was considering wrapping it in denim and using that instead. The one possitive about the strop is that it's assembled with a screw clamp and i can change out peices later. I am not in a good position to buy anything else right now, so any thoughts on wether i can get away with it for a while or not.

here is the picture
Attachment 70281

Do you have any close ups of the leather? The other material you've described should work well, 20-50 strokes on that before the leather. Just keep track of how many strokes and what the shave quality is like. Adding more or doing less, depending on material, can make a huge difference. You can also get away just fine with the leather if it's in decent shape and use some CrOx or diamond spray on the felt for further touch ups (but you really don't want to use that stuff on a daily basis)

I've held a selective strop in my hands only once. It was enough to convince me that they are borderline useless and felt more like plastic than leather. I think you are on the right track keeping the hardware and tossing the "leather."

Whether a strop will do it's job or not is dependent on the smoothness and uniformity and suppleness of the piece and lack of imperfections. So that should guide you.

If you have a vibrating sander, you can sand it until you are through the faux grain stuff and you will get to leather. Smooth it out good! Then, slather it with leather conditioner every day for a few days, rubbing it in with your palm. Not too shabby. Throw away the fabric, IMO. Learn to strop until you cut the thing. Next step would be a Jemico one. Much, Much better and only 4 times as much!

Get a strip of leather to suit and replace the exsting straps I reckon.


Mick

Tandy Leather has some Red Latigo strips 2.5" wide that would do nicely replacing that leather. If I remember correctly it was $19.00 for a 2.5"x50" strip. that would give you some spares to make a paddle strop or replace the leather again when you nick it up.