Restore strop made of genuine shell, glossy surface, a bit stiff

Stropping a couple of mornings with lather (Tabac original soap, in addition to the original overnight lather treatment) is really helping revive my old horse strop. You can just feel how it is coming alive. I managed to complete my straight razor shave this morning without a single nick, cut or weeper, for the first time. Coincidence? I think not.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Iwasaki in his book describes a method of softening a hardened strop
7. How to Soften a Hard Strop
(1) Fill a washbasin with water and submerge the strop, without its metal parts, in the water and thoroughly knead it. Remove the strop from the water, and then by pressing and kneading it, it will soften.

(2) Lay the wet strop flat on a board. As it dries, it will shrink like when you dry kelp, so if you take a beer bottle and roll/press the face of the strop it should flatten out.

(3) If it starts to ripple, sandwich it between two boards and press from the front, and it will straighten out.

(4) Apply neetsfoot oil to the surface of the damp strop.

(5) Allow it to dry for two to three days and it should be soft.

(6) If you apply too much oil, soak the strop and the water-soluble neetsfoot oil will be drawn out.

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Para 7(6) is not correct. From an old post on the subject:

So Dr Iwasaki reckons that neatsfoot oil is water-soluble - inscrutable!

The proper, prime, 100%, original - call it what you will - neatsfoot oil is refined animal oil and is not water soluble. From a refinery analysis:

Typical Analysis:
Charge: None
Color (NPA): 2.0 Max.
Free Fatty Acids: 0.50% Max.
Iodine Value: 65 - 85
Specific Gravity @ 25ºC: 0.905 - 0.919
Pour Point: 35ºF Max.
Cloud Point: 40ºF Max.
Lbs./Gallon: 7.60+/-0.05

Product Care:
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Storage: No special instructions
Shelf Life: 12 months when properly stored

Application:
Neatsfoot oil is used as a fatliquor additive. It gives leather extra lubricity, a rich feel and improves leather tensile strength. Normally 2-4% Neatsfoot oil is used with anionic or cationic fatliquors to achieve the desired effects. Neatsfoot oil is used in finishing to give leather a rich, oily feel and darker color...



Regards,
Neil

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Originally Posted by ace

I lather mine heavily, let it sit overnight, wipe off the excess then rub it with a moist paper towel to further get rid of the remaining residue. You will find that the razor will pick up some brown stain from the strop, but it can easily be wiped off the blade.

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Sorry for what might be a stupid question but what is "Lather"? Is this a specific product or are you talking about the lather from shaving soap/cream?

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Originally Posted by drmatt357

Sorry for what might be a stupid question but what is "Lather"? Is this a specific product or are you talking about the lather from shaving soap/cream?

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Yeah, just lather from your shaving soap. Some guys say it has to have tallow in it, but I just use my regular stuff with good results.

correct work up a good lather with your favorite soap and brush, smear it all over the strop and leave it to dry overnight. Wipe it off in the morning with a moist rag or paper towel. it works great.

No kidding! Would a soap be better like Mama Bear or a cream like GFT be the ticket?

Probably won't matter in the end.