I figured today would be a perfect time to go over cleaning a straight razor strop. Many of you long time straight razor shavers know that in time your strop may lose the “draw” it once had. For those of you who don’t know a strop’s “draw” is the resistance you feel when you move it back and forth over the leather component of your strop, When the strop loses its draw a cleaning is all you’ll need to restore it back to normal: (I apologize for the picture quality I did not set the video to HD)http://shavestraightandsafe.com/2016/01/21/new-video-how-to-clean-your-strops/ What you’ll need: Microfiber cloth Terry Cloth Fingernail brush (available at most auto part stores) Saddle Soap (located in the shoe shine section) A bottle of neatsfoot oil 2 tablespoons of powdered laundry soap. Here is how I clean my strops: For the leather: Step 1: Take wet rag and lightly scrub with saddle soap. (Saddle soap can be purchased in Walmart by the shoe shine section) . Let it sit for about two minutes then remove the lather with a damp rag followed by a dry one. I repeated this twice on both sides. Step 2: If there are any nicks take a very fine wet/dry sandpaper(can be purchased at auto parts store) around 1500 grit and gently wet sanded the surface for about two minutes.(Consult a professional before making any repairs). Step 3: Apply oil (I used baseball glove condition oil which is essentially neatsfoot oil) with a lint-free rag. You might have to do more than one application. Let sit for a half hour or so. The draw should be restored. Repeat if needed. For the linen: Step 1: Grab a small thumb brush (or non-coarse scrub brush), a bowl of warm water and two tablespoons of powdered laundry soap. Step 2. Mix detergent in the warm water and dip brush in the bowl. Lightly scrub strop. (You will see a lot of dirt coming off) Rinse. Repeat if needed. Step 3: Hang dry. (DO NOT PUT IN DRYER) It must dry naturally or it will shrink. There you have it!! Remember……. Shave Straight…..and…..Shave Safe!!! http://shavestraightandsafe.com/2016/01/21/new-video-how-to-clean-your-strops/
Great video! This is it exactly. A word of caution on Neatsfoot oil. Leather is a fiber of small tubes (like a box of straws) with a thin layer of skin for a surface. When you add anything to the surface of the leather, it takes time to be absorbed and wicked off the surface. Once the oil is in the leather, it is almost impossible to get out. I recommend 24 hours between coats of oil, keeping each coat very light. It takes more time, but allows the leather to completely absorb the oil. Don't allow pools of oil to sit on the surface of the strop, wipe them off and allow it time to dry. With Saddle soap, this video is spot on. Be sure to wipe off as much as possible. Let the leather dry for a day, and it may be enough with out adding oil. Saddle soap does have some leather conditioners, and I have used it as a top dressing on leather goods before. Be sure to let the leather dry after soaping and before adding oil. The leather will absorb it better.
Great points. Neatsfoot oil does need time to absorb. The only time I use it is when I do a full cleaning on the strop. Otherwise I find that the natural oils from my hands work wonders during regular use.
