Thread: How ef'ed is my strop?

I'm sure this happens to pretty much everyone as they're learning to straight shave and such, but I had BUTCHERED my Poor Man's Strop learning how to strop. The question is however, is it butchered beyond usable? If I continue to strop with the full length of it will the nicks damage my edge?

you are fine. glue down any flaps with contact cement and sand smooth all the cut areas.

Should sand out I believe

Originally Posted by Tsunami

Should sand out I believe

what grit should be effective?

Originally Posted by bplaia

I'm sure this happens to pretty much everyone as they're learning to straight shave and such, but I had BUTCHERED my Poor Man's Strop learning how to strop. The question is however, is it butchered beyond usable? If I continue to strop with the full length of it will the nicks damage my edge?

Looks familiar.

thinking it's time for a new one, or salvageable?

Personally, I'd use a high grit. I'd start with 1000. Then if it worked, great. If not, go to 800 and then back up.

You can probably sand that bad boy down with some 1k grit and keep on stropping, but if you are worried, another poor mans strop kit from WD is only 20 bucks..... that way you have a good strop ready while you fix this one (And if the fix goes bad you still have a good strop)

Just my 0.02

If it's a 3 inch strop, maybe you could trim off the damaged part and make it a 2.5 inch strop.

If you have a Tandy Leather by you, They have a scrap bin full of leather. You can usually find all kind of good stuff in there. They also have nice cowhide belting that works great for stroping, up to 3 inches wide. Some assy required. It's great to use for learning or making paddles.

Your strop can be salvaged, like the other's said, sand it, or use a pumice stone, glue down the flaps, you'll be fine...