Thread: Old Strop

My one and only Strop I would like to Treat the leather for it has been AWHILE! Any helpful tips would be Great. Thanks

And that, sir, is all you will ever need!

I use Pure Neatsfoot oil on leather that has dried a bit. I oil both sides and edges. SRD has some.

I've got one of those exactly like yours. That is a top quality strop. Note that the 'Russian' is the name of a tanning process and shell refers to a type of horsehide. The strop is marked 'Made In USA'. Same outfit made the 'Red Imp' which is also a fine strop if you find one in good of better condition. Go easy on the neatsfoot. A little goes a long way.

Yep I got one like that too also a red imp and it's the thickest strop I've ever seen. Like they said just some conditioner or oil sparingly and that strop should last longer than you.

Oil the strop from the back. The oil will wick into the leather and you do not have to worry about gunking the stropping side. Once I work a couple drops of oil into the back, I will run my hands down the front. The residual oil left on your hands is plenty. Over oil and the leather will get pasty.

hi there fellas.. i recently purchased this strop on ebay...came on here looking for the help i just picked up on...
my only question is, what is that 129A stamped at the very bottom? kinda curious. forgive the ignorance..but would this be a batch number? is there a scale somewhere as to the draw from a strop? could this be it?. i havent found anything on this subject....

My assumption is that the 129A is a model #. it is a horse hide strop, shell denotes the horse butt IIRC and that is high quality. Most of the old timey strops were horsehide. In that case it is less draw than a bovine but who knows what it has been treated with along the way. Neatsfoot oil gives them more draw for sure. Give it a try and see how you like it as it is. Ought to be a good strop.

Its just a model number. Certifyd makes a great strop , enjoy it!

Yup, That's a model number, and a nice old Barber's strop.