Thread: Restauration advice request

Good evening Gents,

I found this old strop on Ebay few days ago, and I had to get it because it has my initials on the handle

I can't tell much from the pic.

If the leather is not too dried and cracking, you can probably clean it up with a tallow soap (I use Williams for restoring strops).

Once you have it cleaned up and dried well, apply a little Neatsfoot Oil.

Rub it in well and you should have a very servicable strop.

Congratulations on the "initial" find!

Good evening Gents,

I found this old strop on Ebay a few days ago, and I had to get it because it has my initials on the handle



Today it arrived, and I could ascertain that the handle is a huge piece of elephant ivory (the crossing lines are at an angle of about 115°), and it is larger than I expected, so I am very happy...
But the leather is totally ruined! Only the central part of one side can be used... I shot these pics using a side light source to explain it better:



It's structure is particular, it is soft and seems to be made up of a wooden structure, covered by some soft paper, covered by a very thin sheet of leather, that is still very soft but can make an edge well shiny with few passes.

And so here I am asking for the help of the expert restorers that I know are among the members of this forum, with the following questions:

Is there a way to save this leather?
What kind of leather should I put on it?
What is the best way to bring it back to operative conditions?
Can anybody guess how old is it, or its provenance? On the cover there is nothing, just DM on the handle, but I guess that are the initials of the original owner... I bought it from an English seller.

Thanks in advance!

I don't know why but it seems that the server loaded just the first part of my post. Here are other pics, shot with a side light source to show that only the center of one side can be saved...





I am thinking about putting new leather on it, but I don't know what to use...

If the ivory is long enough for a set of scales, Id scrap the strop in a heartbeat.

I don't understand, my thread has been loaded twice, and only this one is complete...

The ivory is not long enough, and I would loose my initials...

It is difficult to see the exact condition of the leather, but to me it looks poor and replacement would be a serious consideration. However, I suppose it would not hurt to condition it first to see how it reacts. Perhaps even a light sandpapering or pumicing (being careful about contamination) beforehand as well - waste not want not, as they say.

However, if indeed it does not come up well and you decide to replace it you'll want a nice supple leather, and probably not too thick. Any good quality leather would do I think. If it were me, I'd let the piece that was on there be my guide as to thickness and method of attachment, but most likely it will be thinner than a hanging strop, and glued.

Good luck.

James.

Hi Mauri,
Yeah it looks like it's going to need the leather replaced.

I haven't replaced leather. I have refurbished strops, including some minor sanding, but never one this bad.

Maybe somone with more experience can address the type of leather you might need.

I merged the two threads, hopefully Pixelfixed, will see this he is pretty knowledgeable about Ivory

Thank you Gssixgun!

And thank you to all the others who answered. I think that if I can find a subtle leather fit for this strop I will cut a piece long a little more than twice the strop, and glue it on the older leather. I just have to find the right supplier...