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Is there a proper method or any method at all to flatten a vintage shell strop which has been folded so long it has a permanent wrinkle. It won't sit flat but when drawn taught it flattens out well enough to be used but I am tempted to soak the shell and press it.......maybe with a little heat?
Jim, so it is more cosmetic than functional ? One way or the other, the first thing that comes to my mind is a thread that honedright (Scott) participated in describing the old method barbers used with lather on a strop followed by rubbing it down with a bottle for 15 minutes ..... or maybe it was longer .... Seems like that might do it, but I'm not certain. Here is that post and one by Neil Miller to boot.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...tml#post508740
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...tml#post508493
It is cosmetic only the strop is horse shell and is still supple. It just has a "set" about in the middle from being folded and stored. The difference between the shell and the latigo I have been using is stunning. The strop has an old linen canvas hose cover for a second element. I finally got a deal on the bay......whoooopeeee!
I was given a tip recently by a leather worker on how to get wrinkles out of leather. Get a glass bottle with a leak proof lid and fill it with hot, but not boiling water and roll it over the wrinkle until smooth. Haven't had the opportunity to try it yet, but it sounds promising.
I'd try what JimmyHAD said above.
remember that hot water was used to harden leather into armour.. if you are going to soak use cold water then use some big heavy hardcover books to flatten (or whatever else you've got). the bottle with hot water might work well though..
From strops I have seen that have a crease from being folded it affects the stropping in a very negative way. If it is a true crease the only method I have found that works is soak the strop in water until saturated and then allow it to dry by itself slowly. That's the nuclear option because it will leave serious stains on the strop but it's the way to correct serious issues..
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
It is more a fold than a crease and it isn't an issue while stropping with just a little tension. I can live with the way it is but I just can't stifle my ruinations......I say I say stifle my ruminations.
The method that honedright has posted about came from his studying many old barber manuals and doing it himself. Now, AFAIK, he wasn't doing this to remove a crease. It was to recondition the strop in general. Whether it will flatten out the crease I don't know but I'd say it is worth a try. Like Nelson said, saturating the strop in water is the 'nuclear option' and I would only go there as a last resort.
I wasn't trying to remove a crease or fold, but the method I used will help soften the strop up and, with repeated hand rubbings, lather treatments, use, and hanging, the fold should diminish over time. Either way, I've not noticed any deleterious effects to my strops from treating with lather, dressing and a bottle. To the contrary the treatment actually seems to improve the strop. It's a bit of a chore though, but if you are up to it you might give it a try.
I read honedright post some time ago and I have experimented with it on the strops I have made. It works quite well. It can be a cardio workout for people like me but it is effective treatment for the leather. This strop is horse shell and quite supple with a good finish albeit some staining.
As I type this the strop is hanging in the bath soaking wet and if its present appearance is any indication of how it will dry then the problem is solved and I can move my ruminations elsewhere.
Let us know how it works out for you, I have a shell strop with the same problem (was folded) and was going to try heat to flatten it, but this sounds promising.
The problem as I see it is dried skin taking a set,it needs to be re-hydrated and pressed back into the orig form.
Tallow type lather and a bottle have always worked for me,many ways perhaps to do it.
The strop is nearly dry and it is hanging straight. This wet and let dry seems a good fix. If I had very flat hard surfaces which could be warmed slightly and used to press the strop flat it would be the best but this scratches the itch.
Thank you BIGSPENDUR problem solved.
It just keeps getting better.