Thread: Green mould on strops

Dear Sirs- Cannot remember if or when I posted on the forum before- This is only a quick visit-- Please forgive me if I'm in breach of forum etiquette in any way-- that's because I've been remiss in freshing up on the rules-- My apologies if that's the case- As the title suggests- My strops have gone mouldy- This while I've been growing my winter beard- i.e. lack of use is a factor- the other factor is atmospheric conditions- Bathroom- where they hang- is cold and dark in winter because I can't afford heating-- I've wiped off all the mould- brought the strops into the room I keep warm--- Which will keep them good meanwhile-- But the question is--- Should I treat them in lieu of any structural damage that may have been caused by mould? If so what treatment would anyone recommend to either prevent further damage- or arrest or repair possible damage already sustained? The mould may not be older than 3 or 4 weeks- I could not find any info on mould (UK English) US= mold- damage to strops etc on this forum-- This may be a new subject-- I cannot afford to replace those 2 very old but highly satisfactory for use- strops- (early 20th c.) One is canvas backed English style with a hard leather handle- both strop and canvas are fixed at either end-- The other is an American 'certifyd sanitory' Clydesdale horse shell strop-- no handle- you just grip by blunt end- The fabric is seperable at lower end- but bolted to the leather at the top end-- and is linnen- both the reverse sides of the leathers were very mouldy-- as were the fabrics-- I think the tallow element of the chalky strop paste on the fabrics were what fed the mould- The actual leather stropping faces seem still in very supple- shiny- smooth condition-- Bringing them suddenly into the warm room may create issues too-- Which remains to be seen-- although- if that is so-- I'd be glad of some advice on this potential issue too- if anyone can offer such advice- Well- think that covers it-- and thank you for any help you can offer Best Wishes --Moriarty

Strop a blade on the mold than shave,could be the next great strop paste
Try a rag with a little white viniger,might work.

I can't reply from first hand experience but google yielded this here .

First thing would be to stop storing your strops in the bathroom. Never store them in an area prone to humidity. It's fine if they are put in a cold room (I'm not sure where you live - UK?), just give it a palm rub before use. 50-100 palm laps should be fine.

As for your mould problem, you will definitely want to hit that with some form of sanitizer before stropping a razor that will be used on your face. You may consider doing an alcohol rub followed by a coat of neatsfoot oil. I can't really recommend a firm course of action because this has never happened to me, nor have I read any similar accounts here at SRP

Vinegar is great for killing mould but is it possible any acidic salts could be left in the leather putting razors at risk.? I suppose lathering the strop after would neutralise any acid.
If the mould is not drastic, a light rub with a rag dampened with alcohol will help . Keep the strop in a less humid environment & a little sunlight.
Mould thrives in darkness & humidity.

I spent a year in Bremerton washington one weekend,I had mushrooms growing on my strops
A little saddle soap.a little H2O,a little sunlight,life will be good again.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I spent a year in Bremerton washington one weekend,I had mushrooms growing on my strops
A little saddle soap.a little H2O,a little sunlight,life will be good again.

Absolutely !!

Any of the quality leather cleaners will take it off. Products like Bick and lexol will work fine. Some of these nasties can get into the leather with roots and can become persistent so you need to get at it really good.

I think the real lesson here is to not neglect your razors and strops by growing a beard.

Top of the list is sunlight. White distiled vinegar will leave no residue but will need to FULLY dry.
Same for alcohol which is a better disinfectant. The acid in vinegar is hard on steel but will go away unlike bleach based disinfectants.

I would clean with a stiff shave lather and a cheep shave brush, then saddle soap, fully air dry in the sun.
Williams shave soap and a $7 VDH brush. The leather may then need additional dressing/ oil.