How do I use this vintage strop

[Sniperx]

I got this on eBay for a pretty good price with shipping. It’s a Sterling handled board strop of some kind. If feels a little greasy like it’s pasted. One side is red the other is black. It’s a lot narrower than expected.

 

[Legion]

Yeah, it was pasted, and unless you want to change the leather, it now always will be.

If you want to refresh the paste the red would be Ferric Oxide and the black is something finer.

You can get kits like this.

Herold Solingen Paste, Red & Black

Herold Solingen Paste, Red & Black

knifeworks.com

 

[Sniperx]

It’s kind of curved and soft in the center line. Is it supposed to be this way or has the material delaminated?

 

[Legion]

It’s kind of curved and soft in the center line. Is it supposed to be this way or has the material delaminated?

Do you mean it’s dipped in the middle or running down the length of the strop?

 

[Sniperx]

No, the leather is convex. It is bulging outward the full length of the strop. It is even and consistent.

 

[Legion]

No, the leather is convex. It is bulging outward the full length of the strop. It is even and consistent.

Hmm. That could be intentional then. Even if not, on a thin strop like that you will be doing very deliberate X strokes, so it will still work fine.

 

[*stefan*]

Convex lengthwise?
In theory this will reduce the pressure on the apex.

If it works for you - testing needed.

 

[Alum of Potash]

There are examples of old-time convex paddle strops. What about the other (presumably black-pasted) side? Is it convex as well? A pic would be helpful.