Thread: Should this strop be retired?

A couple years back my Aunt gave me a strop that she said had been my grandfather's. Grandpa was born in 1899 so it is possible this strop is 80 years old. It is two pieces of leather sewn at each end. On one end there is a bracket with a swivel-ring and on the other a heavy wire bale for holding. On the leather sides at the bale end where the strops are sewn together the words "PIG SKIN 22" is embossed. At the swivel end on one side the word "SHARPEN" is embossed, and one the other side it reads "FINISH." The strops are definitely pigskin as you can see the the texture that is characteristic of pig skin leather. The strops are about 2 1/4 inches wide and 20 inches long. There are no other identifying marks.

The strops are still very flexible and show no signs of cracking. There is one bad nick on the edge of the finish side that looks like someone tried to strop a blade by pushing it edge first up the strop. The nick is full thickness and about 1/8-3/16 deep into the strop.

With the strop I received a brush as well. It's a Rubberset in reasonable condition.

Receiving these items got me thinking about straight razor shaving and finally a week back I bought a Dovo 98 from a hardware store in Ocean Park, Washington. Of all places. Its a beautiful blade. Has gold plating (I think its more likely brass, but the store owner was sure it's gold), full hollow grind, 5/8 wide. It has a buffalo horn "canoe" handle. It's a very beautiful tool.

I have used it a few times now, and I worry that the strop may not be doing all that it should be. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you.

Following are pictures as requested. One will be the full strop. Then close-ups of the "Finish" end, the "Sharpen" end, the "Pigskin 22" end, and the nick.

Thanks again

A picture would be great. Not only so we could tell you if it is indeed good to go.........I just wanna see it.

It may actually be working, only future shaves will tell. If the edge is not maintaining it could be many thing other than the strop.
If I were to retired it, I would put some quality conditioner on it & retire it on the wall of your shave den, give it a place of honor amoung the other shaving equipment.

My favorite strop is a horse hide from 1929, it's still as good as new, so they can last a long time.
If you find it not to be of any use for stropping, get some good oil on it to preserve it and keep it as a heirloom.

Looks like the leather surface has texture. I would maybe sand the strop smooth and treat it with NeatsFoot oil on the back side. Just might be useable.

Jerry
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After looking at the photos I can only tell you what I would do. I'm the last guy who should be giving advice on strops (I'm the owner of the famous Leopard Strop).
There will be strop guys, like Neil, who have a vast knowledge on strops & how to preserve & use them, who will comment later.
I would saddle soap it , let it dry a week, then condition with Bickmore Bick 4, then decide on whether to use her.

Now with pictures!

It looks fine to me, the cut you can glue down with some rubber cement or any glue that won't go hard.
You may resurface it with some abrasive paper if you feel it's needed.
The only thing that would worry me is if the leather ends are dry and could rip.
Since it's a heirloom I would try to do as little as possible to it, if the ends need to be fixed I would remove them, glue on some thin good leather on their insides and stitch them back on.

Edit; I write to slow, it's 0600 here and I'm still not in bed but +1 on all said above!
Neatfoots oil, still haven't got it....

I should have added that I read the posts on re-conditioning a strop so I understand that process... errr... mostly. Since there isn't a linen side would anyone have suggestions on how best to treat the two leather sides?

I am an engraver so I am familiar with using abrasives for polishing metal, but not leather. Something I wonder is can I use something like my 50 micron diamond paste on say the "Sharpen" side and something else on the other side?

As to sanding the surfaces, pig skin has a very natural and normal dimpled texture. Any suggestions on how much sanding would be adequate?

I felt a new strop today in a store and the surface was incredibly smooth. Not sure what I could do to get that feel.

Even the ends are in ver supple condition. There is no ripping where they bend around the metal attachments. But they could no doubt do with some conditioner.

The sharpen side is used like your linen or scrub leather, finish side is exactly that.

That is a fine looking and very functional family heirloom you have there.

I see no reason to fix something that's not broken. Nor a reason to take advice to sand it from people who haven't seen it.