What are you working on?

My Experience has been that the majority of old linen stops were pasted with a chalk/ Pipe clay based whiting. The whiting was a way to smooth the strop surface, prevent dirt from collecting in the weave, and also stiffen it.

I did some experiments with the clay formula that was used by British soldiers in the 18th century to whiten the cross belts and gaiters of their uniforms. I have a couple strops that still, after a few years, are not discernible from the pastes that you folks found.

Still, today, many of the linen components of strops are treated the same way. Like the Illinois #127 especially.

JME, YMMV
~Richard

Jerry use a beer bottle on the linen to break it in a bit. :D

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Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Jerry use a beer bottle on the linen to break it in a bit. :D

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I used the sharp edge of a steal ruler and washing. Its not stiff anymore. But still has some what stuff packed into the fine weave of the strop. I think Geezer is right. Some kind of paste used way back when. I might have to give it a try again. Would be nice to get it cleaned better. Brush, Sharp edge and washing didn't fix it so not sure what else I can do that wouldn't destroy it.

Another project I did this weekend was to cut up some chunks of wood into 1/8 inch blanks.

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Brazilian Cherry, Bloodwood, Zebrawood, Morado and bubinga.

Got enough for 9 razors now!

I started a little experiment today to see if I could turn a dozen beyond-repair vintage blades into a billet of steel from which some new razors (or at least a knife) could be made. Promising progress so far...

Post #37 here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...ml#post1790264

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Okay, here's the strop after a soaking and a scrub with a new brush. There were tiny white flecks coming off the strop. You might be able to discern the water on the counter looks a little milky. What are the white flecks?

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Yeah, I had an old one like this and I think it's as Geezer says, some kind of chalk paste treatment. Feels like dried sticky chalk. The one I had was CAKED on there too. I had to physically remove it with a brush like you are doing, but it didn't even come close to getting it all, especially down in there between stitches. Works fine even so.

I boil them in Oxyclean. Like so. Takes several times. 3 heaping tablespoons of Oxyclean in the pot. Pour it out and scrape with the spatula. Rinse, repeat.
Some bleach in the last boil.

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You never get it all out, but they are clean and soft/smooth as you finish!

That's awesome - just look at all the crud you got out of there! You do have a way with bringing strops back to life.

That looks great!:chapeau

From what i earned, It is a good idea to stretch the fabric while it dries. Some types have an inner layer that shrinks faster than the outer one.
~Richard

Yes, I put paper towels on top and bottom with a board on top with lots of weight on top as it dries. Takes days to dry.
The linen is stiff as-done, but breaking it over a chair-back it gets soft again.
It takes a LOT of time to do all this.

Just don't use the good pot. The white stuff won't come off the sides of mine!

You CAN steam-iron them too.
Wolfpack Mike sprays starch on his. Never tried it?