You have such helpful and interesting stuff. Gotta be glad we have someone who grew up around all those barbers.
Question is below...
I have a question.
Did your barber relatives clean their strops? If so, how? I've read of barbers who applied lather to the strop and left it on. I assume they wiped it off in the morning with a towel, but that's only an assumption.
I wouldn't use any of the butter rich artisan lathers to do this, but might consider using a simple tallow soap like Arko or such.
Not that I'm planning anything. I'm just asking.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Most common practice I saw was to brush the strop with lather at end of day or last shave. They would let is site while they cleaned up then wipe off with a either a dry or very well rung out rag before closing up. Never saw anyone leave it on overnight. I think it was more to clean the strop and prevent it from glazing then to condition it. They had a balm that came in a tin that they would occasionally use. Saw a few apply an oil(???) to the backside of the strop. Sorry don't know the names or types.
I've heard of people leaving lather on overnight but never saw anyone do it.
I don't use strops as frequently as they did so I just wipe mine down once a month with a damp rag to keep it hydrated. Use is the best conditioner of a strop. A lot of leathers can contain up to 30% fats, oils and waxes by weight. They don't evaporate or migrate out of a strop so don't need a ton of replenishment. Only strops I found that need reconditioning on occasion are split side. Some guys that craft leather or make strops may have more info.