Thread: Fiebing's Saddle Soap (strop care)

Hey everyone,
just thought I'd share my new way of conditioning and cleaning my strop. My Grandpa told me the other day that he always used to use this stuff called saddle soap for his strops and was never let down by it. He assured me it was still being made. I went to a leather store close by and sure enough, there it was sitting right at the front counter. The girl working said that when it comes to cleaning, restoring, and caring for leather that this stuff could not be beat. Long story short, She and My Grandpa had me sold. I got it on sale for only $6 bucks a tin. It advises you to dampen a clothe and create a mild lather on top of the soap, then apply to the leather and let dry. wipe off with a dry clothe to a light lustre. I used it, and loved it. Gave my strop a bit of extra draw too! Just thought I'd share it since I havn't seen anything on it posted here
take care
shayne

Saddle soap is great, and the preferred cleaning method for all leather. Once your done, and the strop is fully dry, you'll need to re condition it with some neetsfoot oil. A very small amount goes a long way. So be careful. I've used it many times on boots, and other leather items. I've used it once on an old Vintage strop that I restored. My newer strops only get the rub down with the palm of my oily hand. Some are 5 years old, and look and feel great....

My usual rant.

I know the multitudes here love saddle soap. I'm not one of them. Saddle-soap was originally made for use on tough thick leathers that got hard wear and much dirt and grime and made to take abuse (like saddles and work boots). Most modern leathers (and strops included) don't mix well with water period. There are cleaners out there that contain little or no water and (I think) are better suited for a strop. Personally I like Bick leather cleaner.

Just my opinion.

thanks guys, I was looking forward to hearing what people had to say about this stuff. I agree, I think I will rub it down with some mink oil tonight...that stuff would be okay right?

It depends on what your trying to do, and how bad the strop is. I agree with thebigspendur. The only reason I used saddle soap on that old vintage strop was due to cigarette smoke, (not me, former owner) I tried a multitude of cleaning agents to get rid of it. I must admit, I really didn't like the way the strop came out after being cleaned with saddle soap, and re treated with oil. I only use it for knives. So, like my earlier post, I only use the palm of my hand to condition my strops. That's all they really need, really....!

I always tell new guys, if you want more draw, buy a latigo, or strop that has more draw. These old barber tricks like soap, lather, and like I don't buy into. That came out in the late 1800's or early 1900's. I've never seen one strop manufacturer recommend that be done. Now, I could be wrong, I have been before...Ha..! But, I can't see how rubbing soap into leather is good. Especially some of the fine leathers used on today's strops. Now, that's me. Some members love it, swear by it. Rant over. Hope it helps you.

P.S. I used Saddle Soap all the time on my boots, back in the day...

Originally Posted by zib

It depends on what your trying to do, and how bad the strop is. I agree with thebigspendur. The only reason I used saddle soap on that old vintage strop was due to cigarette smoke, (not me, former owner) I tried a multitude of cleaning agents to get rid of it. I must admit, I really didn't like the way the strop came out after being cleaned with saddle soap, and re treated with oil. I only use it for knives. So, like my earlier post, I only use the palm of my hand to condition my strops. That's all they really need, really....!

I always tell new guys, if you want more draw, buy a latigo, or strop that has more draw. These old barber tricks like soap, lather, and like I don't buy into. That came out in the late 1800's or early 1900's. I've never seen one strop manufacturer recommend that be done. Now, I could be wrong, I have been before...Ha..! But, I can't see how rubbing soap into leather is good. Especially some of the fine leathers used on today's strops. Now, that's me. Some members love it, swear by it. Rant over. Hope it helps you.

P.S. I used Saddle Soap all the time on my boots, back in the day...

That makes great sence to me but others do have some good points about the opposite too. I think I might just stick with some strop dressing and save the saddle soap for if I find some older strops or if mine ever needs a good cleaning

Per wiki, "Saddle soap is a preparatory compound containing mild soap and softening ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, glycerin, and lanolin. It also contains beeswax to protect leather." Basically, its conditioning oils with some cleaning soap to start and polishing wax to finish.

I've never used it on a strop because of the wax. Anyone else tried and succeeded (or failed) with saddle soap? I have read the above but it sounds more like untested conventional wisdom than solid experimentation. I am a fan of saddle soap for cleaning and conditioning all types of leather and was suprised at the negative replies; never saw water damaged leather when saddle soap was used for lathering.

I also wonder if there is any reason not to use a few dots of saddle soap for conditioning (waterless) on an already clean strop.

Yea, cleaned an old shell Cordovan strop with saddle soap followed with a "liitle" Neats Foot Oil when it was dry. Sure did not seem like it did any harm. I never have used it one the 2 other strops I have bought new though. As usual YMMV.

Bob

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

I also wonder if there is any reason not to use a few dots of saddle soap for conditioning (waterless) on an already clean strop.

Basically it's unnecessary to condition a razor strop other than just a rub with the hand or wrist before use. The only instructions that came with my Kanayama were to give it a wipe with a damp rag occasionally. Possibly air con or ultra dry areas may require a different protocol.

Restoration of old leather is another story.