Thread: 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.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

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

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.



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

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?

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.



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!

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?