I found the below strop at a flea market. I got it, a Christy razor, and a handle for a Rolls Razor which I needed for $5. The only markings on it are "Cordovan" and "The To*er brand". Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Help with ID, please?
- Thread starter Radar O\'Reilly
- Start date
Actually I think that is "The Tower Brand". Would be a John S Holler product.
Nice find! Do you think it is usable?
Nice find! Do you think it is usable?
- Thread starter
- #3
I think it needs some love, but there is no real damage to it save a 2-3mm cut on one side edge where it seems someone tried to go up instead of down. But there is no cracking like one would find on an old leather saddle or halter. The only other condition I think it has is "kinks" from being folded up for so many years. I now have it hanging on my Shaveshelf(like a bookshelf, but no books, only razors) opposite a Ingersoll strop from a DE stropping device. I'm hoping it will straighten itself out. Any tips on giving it some TLC? Neatsfoot oil? Saddle Soap?
Well hopefully it was not kinked skin side in. That will usually ripple the surface and make it pretty much unusable. Kinked skin side out might be fixed, hopefully the surface is not too cracked at the fold areas. Neatsfoot oil, saddle soap will work. Work it in with your palms, rub it so that it get warm. You can also apply a light coat of oil and let it lay flat in a windowsill with the sun shining on it. As the oil soaks in, go ahead and apply more working it in with your palms again. Probably will take a while but I was able to bring one back doing this.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #5
Well, you can see where the folds are in the picture in the first post. When hanging, only one "pops" out. There is no cracking visible, that I can see, on the exterior. The picture with the circles shows the little cuts in the edge. I will try a little neatsfoot oil as you describe later, and maybe stick some weigh on the handle while hanging to straighten it out?
Last edited:
I don't think a weight would be necessary. Some oil and heat from sunlight and it will straighten out laying on a window sill.I'd rather massage it than hang a weight on it.
I'm on my Blackberry right now so it is hard to see the circled areas. Usually nicks and other high spots can be brought down with a pumice stone.
- Thread starter
- #8
Window sills are a little tough for me because I have cats, and they can sense when you DON'T want them to chew/scratch/play with something. I massaged some neatsfoot oil on it, then hung a 1.25lb weight off the handle. I almost do the same thing with my belts when I hang them up, and hang the buckle off the end.
Cats will do that 
I should clarify though (for future searchers) the strop should not be left in the sun for a long time... just enough to soften the leather and help the oil absorb. You do not want to leave it out and have the sun crack the leather. And this should only need to be done on an old/er strop that is not as pliable as it should be.
It also helps if you are able to apply oil on the underside of the strop as that will actually absorb better that the surface. After that is all done, put some lather on it (Williams) and let it dry on there overnight. Next day just work the dried lather off of the surface... works great!
I should clarify though (for future searchers) the strop should not be left in the sun for a long time... just enough to soften the leather and help the oil absorb. You do not want to leave it out and have the sun crack the leather. And this should only need to be done on an old/er strop that is not as pliable as it should be.
It also helps if you are able to apply oil on the underside of the strop as that will actually absorb better that the surface. After that is all done, put some lather on it (Williams) and let it dry on there overnight. Next day just work the dried lather off of the surface... works great!
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #10
Well, we don't have AC on yet, so that room gets plenty of sun and warms up a good deal, enough to open even my pores when i walk in there. I will put a little on the underside as well later, when I come back home tonight.
I should note that I DE shave, and two of the coffins seen next to the strop on the shelf are actually for Weck's, and the third is a coffin I bought with no razor inside, hoping that the fates will allow the appropriate razor to sense I posses it's home, and seek me out.
So I more than likely will never use this strop for it's intended purpose. But I will try the Williams soap when all the oil is gone.
Thank you again!
I should note that I DE shave, and two of the coffins seen next to the strop on the shelf are actually for Weck's, and the third is a coffin I bought with no razor inside, hoping that the fates will allow the appropriate razor to sense I posses it's home, and seek me out.
So I more than likely will never use this strop for it's intended purpose. But I will try the Williams soap when all the oil is gone.Thank you again!
