Couple of strops from car boot yesterday

[sooper8]

Hi All,

Just wondered what your thoughts are on these pair of strops I picked up yesterday...
I said to the seller at the car boot, "how much for the strops?"
he said "ah, the straps"
I said 'Yeah the strops"
He said " yeah, they're vintage straps"
It could have gone on for ages like that but I put up with it and sorted a price out.

Anyway, what do you think of them?
How do I clean them or give them some TLC?

Also -What sort of age are they? The one nearest in the pics says 'The Standard'
Are they still useable if the cracks aren't too serious?

Thanks in advance

 

[weizemanner]

you might be able to clean them up enough for use, but most likely they are decorative now. They both have handles and unique hardware. In my neck of the woods I would expect to pay 35-50 USD for decorative antique strops.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Save the hardware, chuck the strops. If you are handy and crafty, you might contact NarragansettLeather.com and find out if they still sell quality strips of veg tanned cowhide or English Bridle leather cut to your width and length. Get them long enough so you end up with some leather bench strops about 8-10 inches long. I got some 50 inch strips several years ago. Or try TANDY LEATHER. Clean the hardware and attach the new leather strops. Enjoy your new strops...............P. S. Any saddle maker or holster maker can help you also. If you like a slick no-draw type of strop, get some horsehide. Really slick. I reckon the horse isn't gonna think too much of it!!!