Thread: bad idea

Originally Posted by medicevans

You ordered neatsfoot oil?

I did and it should arrive tomorrow... still tossed as to whether this will help it or hurt it further but it is stiff as a dry piece of leather can be and I see no way to restore any suppleness without it. I would gladly send it to whoever in Japan who made it if they can doctor it up for me but have no idea how this is done or exactly where to send it.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

This type of leather is radically different than any other type because of the process used to tan and finish it. It's no different with shoes made from the stuff. The advice is do nothing to it. Usually it wears very well and with shoes some light polish on rare occasions and a moist cloth with water to get light dirt. I know the recommendation with the strops is just leave it alone. I know mine is a few years old and it's fine the way it is even in my super dry climate.

yes, thank you but I passed that stage of education when I thought cleaning it would be a good idea. I am now at a point where I need the best solution possible barring not having had this dumb idea to begin with. Unless someone has a better plan I guess I will use the oil and see how it goes. Is there anyone who specializes in bringing these back to life? Perhaps whoever made it has a PO Box and can wave their magic wand over it for me?

Jim Rion of Eastern Smooth.com who sells Kanayama strops has weighed in here a few times trying to help, telling you not to oil it and to email him. I really don't know what else you are looking for. There isn't a magic wand.

I've never heard of anyone who specializes in reconditioning any strop and your strop is made in Japan by a very small businessman doing things one at a time. Follow Jim's advice. You are in uncharted territory when it comes to restoring those strops.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've never heard of anyone who specializes in reconditioning any strop and your strop is made in Japan by a very small businessman doing things one at a time. Follow Jim's advice. You are in uncharted territory when it comes to restoring those strops.

Jim contacted me but I am still waiting on his advice...

The oil has arrived, however Jim has gotten back to me and so instead of applying the oil I am sending the kanayama strop off to Jim to see what can be done, thanks Jim.

So in the meantime I figured I would pull out my first strop that got defaulted to the closet after the kanayama arrived, an SRD 2" english bridle strop with chocolate color finish. A strop that had been bitten a few times in my early days of learning to strop and also not quite a supple as I would wish for. Since I would like to use the oil for something and being more of an experimental strop now I would like to see how the oil does on the SRD strop. What is the best way to oil a strop? A bit on my hands and rub it in or perhaps dabbing it on with a cotton ball?

Dude, Seriously....don't do anything to your strop, other than rub it down with the palm of your unwashed hand. These high quality leathers, really need little or no maintenance. (unless your restoring an old vintage strop)
Especially, SRD and Kanayama. No Soap, No lather, No oil, nothing...I have lot's and lot's of strops, They're all in great shape, and all I ever do is rub them with the palm of my hand. it really is enough.

I sanded out tge nicks in my strops but want to make sure tgere are no sandpaper particles left in it. Is tge best course of action still the wrung out warm water on a clean rag (other than terry cloth)?
I read someones post on a different thread saying they used saddle soap and a brush, but that's contradictory to what's being said here. If I had to guess my own path, I'd try the rag method, but any advice is welcomed with open arms. Thanks.

Refering to the previous post of mine...
Btw, my strop I sanded is the "El Toro" from RR.