Thread: Strop conditioners

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm not sure about treating the backs - perhaps. The thing is, the waterproofing component in Dubbin is beeswax. I agree with Oz - never apply a lot. When I have put Dubbin on a strop in the past, it is a tiny amount rubbed into my palms so it is warm, and then a palm rub on the strop.

To be honest though, I have not "treated" a strop for a long time now (beyond a palm rub). I generally reserve treating a strop for when I have cut it or sanded it or whatever.

James.

LOl - seems like we are on the same page James. I can't get the idea of treating the back out of my head now that i dug it out for the shot lol!!

Originally Posted by earcutter

What I was wondering is if I could treat my strops back-sides with it to keep the leather nice and subtle?

The supplier that sold me my first strop said that this was the way to treat a strop when conditioning was needed. He warned against putting anything on the work surface.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

The supplier that sold me my first strop said that this was the way to treat a strop when conditioning was needed. He warned against putting anything on the work surface.

Thanks bro! Would you use the dubbin?

I can't say from experience but check the ingredients & assess the risks. I have used lard in the past but maybe that's why my strop only lasted 25 years

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I can't say from experience but check the ingredients & assess the risks. I have used lard in the past but maybe that's why my strop only lasted 25 years

Bahahhaha - thanks again!!

Hey do you know much about Roo strops? I got one here the other day and thought I might condition the back of that one. Any ideas on that? Thanks again onimaru55.

Well I will soon have two vintage strops landing up at my place, so I am oing to treat the worst out of the two with Dubbin and see what happens, I remember my Grandfather teaching me to use a hair dryer when applying the stuff to his leather boots, I doubt I will attempt this with the strop but yet another interesting idea of using an appliance to help apply the dubbin.

I will use a small amount on an old rag and see what happens, you live and learn!

Thanks Guys for your ideas and I will let you all know how I get on.

Byron

Originally Posted by earcutter

Hey do you know much about Roo strops? I got one here the other day and thought I might condition the back of that one. Any ideas on that? Thanks again onimaru55.

I know I wrecked one by putting too much neatsfoot on it so don't make my mistake. I use it for knives now but the draw is like stropping thru wet concrete.
Honestly, can't see any reason why you would want to condition a roo strop unless it was stored near an air conditioner or in the desert for the last few years.

Yes, I agree. There is no need to condition a roo strop unless it is in need of restoration. And given roo strops are mostly a new phenomenon, you will not find many old ones in need of reconditioning I wouldn't think.

I'll tell you one thing that my roo strops enjoy though - R.M Williams Leather Conditioner. Used sparingly, it just soaks in and leaves everything nice and supple. I've used it once or twice on a couple when I was experimenting with treating the surface (sanding it etc). Not sure if you can get it outside Australia, though if you can get RM Williams boots, I guess you can get the conditioner too. Definitely no wax in its ingredients list.

James.

I use Oakwood leather conditioner. It's got emu oil in it as well as beeswax. I don't know how they get the oil out of emus but maybe I'd rather not know.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I don't know how they get the oil out of emus but maybe I'd rather not know.

Do they place buckets near fire hydrants down there?