Thread: Leather conditioners

I just received my new Walkin' Horse strop in the mail. This is my first strop- and in fact, the first strop I have ever seen in my life. I was expecting a very soft, supple leather, but instead, it's rather stiff. The leather is 3" wide bridle leather 0.1325" inches thick (17/128" - between 1/8" and 9/64") and a 22" stropping surface.

Being my first strop, I would like to know if it's supposed to be this hard or if I need to treat it immediately to loosen it up. It's supposed to be ready for use as it is.

I also wanted to know about Obenauf's LP. It's the leather preservative I use on all of my White's boots and it does an excellent job of hydrating the leather to keep it soft and lubricated. I love Obenauf's! Is this an acceptable product to use on my strop or should I buy some neetsfoot instead? I have a tub of Obenauf's already and don't really have any desire to add another leather protectant if I don't need to.

Thanks!

All you should really need to do is give the strop a good rubbing with your palm. The natural oils in your skin should help break the strop in and keep it supple. If at some point it needs more, a little bit of neatsfoot oil or 100% mink oil can be applied, very sparingly, to the back of the strop.

Most Strops need what's called 'Breaking in'! Follow the advice about using your hand each and every time before you strop and it'll get better!!! This will also start to and keep the strop 'supple'!

When you rub your hand rub until it starts to get 'warm'. Then strop! Your blade will love the heat!
ps I just got a Great Shave off of my Friodur!!!

Resist the urge to put anything on your strop other than rubbing it with your hand. There seems to be alot of questions lately as to how to remove oils that were mistakenly over applied, so be wary.

Rubbing with the palm of your hand is all you need to do . When I was younger , I felt compelled to goop up everything I had that was made of leather , with whatever "leather preservative" goop that was popular , at that particular time . Eventually , I realized that in the long term , this stuff was just screwing up the leather , and wasn't helping it at all .
The bottom line is ; you don't NEED to put anything on your leather , and IMHO you're better off if you don't .

Nothin' to add. These guys have all got it bang on.