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Thread: Wrinkled Shell strop

  1. #1
    Bevelsetter
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    Default Wrinkled Shell strop

    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?
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    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    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
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    jaswarb (08-06-2012)

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    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!
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    YMMV
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    smalltank (08-06-2012)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Theseus's Avatar
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    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.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    I'd try what JimmyHAD said above.
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    Still Learning ezpz's Avatar
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    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..

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    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
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    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..
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

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    Quote Originally Posted by thebigspendur View Post
    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..

    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.
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  12. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    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.

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    jaswarb (08-06-2012)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    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.

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