Does anyone have any experience with a HSB strop. I recently won this on ebay.
The description said:
This is a old 26" long leather razor strop still in nice overall condition.
It is marked 'Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co. 400 Sharpen and Honing'.
It has a couple of very small rough spots on one of the upper edges (see picture),
otherwise in good usable condition.
It would also make a nice addition to your collection.
Hopefully I'm one step closer to my first shave.
Thanks
Cheetah Meat
Hi Cheetah,
I'm a bit conflicted on vintage strops. 'Have a couple, both thick, heavy shell. One's a Clydesdale shell in immaculate shape. The linen on both is marginal. The leather, I use only for finishing, though the clydsdale reduced the HHT value, compared to an SRDP1. Shell doesn't take up any leather dressing quickly, but normal leather should. I coated one w/ dressing, covered w/ plastic wrap - so the dressing would stay moist and soak in. Then I typically do 1-2,000 strokes w/ the palm of my hand before taking a blade to it. (not saying this is the right approach, but one I've used). 'Seems like the palm rubbing has helped as much as anything. The rough spots can be sanded out. Clean the sanded area well so no grit remains. Then test it compared to another known strop.
'Hope it works well. I've not had an HSB strop, but their razors have been wonderful for me.
1+ to above. I have had good luck on old leather with Bick leather cleaner and conditioner. It has good qualities for dry leather and does not leave oily residue
Nothing like a new strop, though. IMHO