canvas strop question

[kansascutthroat]

have an old barbers strop with a very thick canvas backing. are you supposed to use anything on the canvas to treat it? seems almost too stiff to use. when i got it the thing appeared to have soap or something on it. not sure what it was but again it is quite stiff after cleaning.

 

[superbleu]

move to strop section?

 

[Luc]

When you pull on the strop, is it cupping? If the canvas is flat, I wouldn't worry about it.

Rub it with your hand, does it feel smooth (bumps, hard spots, etc)?