Thread: I'll probably get yelled at

...but what on earth are you supposed to clean your leather strop with? (from dust, etc.) Would a slightly damp clean towel do the job for both linen/leather side? I wouldn't want to damage either one. On a side note cows don't say to each other "Hey it's raining, let's go sit under a roof before the water damages our skin" Well, bedtime for me I'll check tomorrow. GN!

Natural skin has natural oils and such and is designed to weather the elements. Once it's tanned everything changes.

A damp cloth or sponge is all you need to clean if you feel you have to.

Gentlemen:

I have a habit of waxing my five strops every morning with the natural oils on the palms of my hands. That's all the oil you need. I've done it for years and my strops remain in good shape.

Regards,
Obie

Obie speaks the truth. I've been at this less than two years, but my oldest strop (my very first, and maybe my best) is a Tony Miller 2.5" latigo that has seen only hand rubbing and lots of stropping in that time. I do also throw in oil from rubbing my forehead, once I have the strop already warmed up from basic hand rubbing. It's been nicked to pieces over that time with stropping mistakes, but re-glued, sanded and hand rubbed still more. Awesome strop. I used to be embarrassed by all the repaired nicks, now I'm proud of them. I never gave up.

I also have a Tony Miller 2" latigo/horse, that has gotten the same treatment (and many of the same nick mistakes) for the past year. It's another strop that is just stellar. The narrow 2" width gives me incredible feel during stropping, on any size razor. The draw is on the latigo is as strong as the slickness and speed on the horse.

The same hand rubbing/forehead oil treatment has also worked wonders in the past month alone on my 3" SRD Premium IV Long English Bridle strop, which is now giving my Tony Miller strops a run for their money as my favorites. Not as much draw, but similar great results. I generally don't favor the (awkward) width of 3" strops, but this bridle strop is a keeper for sure. Like butter.

Do not underestimate the power of your own natural oils to create your "own" strop, over time, with hand rubbing and stropping. And love, maybe.

+1, I do the same thing as Obie. I give the strop a good rub with my hand before and after use and that keeps them supple and in good shape.

The oils from your skin are really good for the leather.

Another +1 on Obie's advice. FatboySlim's first strop sounds identical to mine in every particular, still love that 2.5" latigo along with all its nicks.