Is Neatsfoot the Only Oil Suitable for a Strop?

[MilkCrate]

I’ve used both Neatsfoot oil and Lexal on: saddles, tack, bike leathers and strops. Never had any issues.

 

[sanch]

I’ve used both Neatsfoot oil and Lexal on: saddles, tack, bike leathers and strops. Never had any issues.

I also have some Montana Pitch blend I might try although the pitch and beeswax make me wonder about the blade sticking to the strop more than desired...

 

[Biglo13]

I have recently used Feibing’s Aussie leather conditioner. But this was used along with neatsfoot in reconditioning old dry vintage veg tanned leather for use on a paddle strop. It has some beeswax in it.

 

[Earcutter]

Dubin

Big +1 on the Dubbin. Or you know, “Graisse” in French.

FYI. For anyone looking for Dubbin, try a tack store. People seem to love it on saddles.

 

[jreb]

I've had good results with small amounts of mink oil in certain circumstances.

The mink oil you see in stores for shoes is all a mix of petroleum products, why not use the real deal? You can find real mink oil here: Trapper's MINK OIL TALLOW, patch grease, for match shooting & cold weather hunting, one 8 oz. tin - Track of the Wolf I've never seen real mink oil for sale anywhere else, but I would think that it would be better for leather than the artificial stuff.

 

[ShaverAZ]

I have long been told that: "any animal fat" is suitable for strop dressing. My recipe is a blend of beef tallow and beeswax. It also works fine for treating wooden cutting boards, salad bowls, wooden spoons and knife handles. If you are a muzzleloader, it's also an old recipe for ball patch lube.

 

[Biglo13]

I have long been told that: "any animal fat" is suitable for strop dressing. My recipe is a blend of beef tallow and beeswax. It also works fine for treating wooden cutting boards, salad bowls, wooden spoons and knife handles. If you are a muzzleloader, it's also an old recipe for ball patch lube.

Do you melt the beeswax into the tallow. Curious that tallow May become rancid.

I recently used a product Feibing’s Aussie leather conditioner..... I’m told it’s neatsfoot, petroleum jelly and beeswax. Once set rub off excessive beeswax to get desired draw.......

 

[Twelvefret]

I use Stirling shave soap for my Illinois #50. After brushing it on, I rub it in.

 

[lev36]

I really like neatsfoot for leather; I've used it for years in several leatherworking projects. As for stropping, I've only just started shaving with a straight, so I haven't had to think about that yet.

I just looked at the maker's page for the one I bought - Portland Razor - and it says they used neatsfoot when making it, so I'll stick to that if it ever needs it.

 

[ShaverAZ]

Do you melt the beeswax into the tallow. Curious that tallow May become rancid.

I recently used a product Feibing’s Aussie leather conditioner..... I’m told it’s neatsfoot, petroleum jelly and beeswax. Once set rub off excessive beeswax to get desired draw.......

My Grandfather did a lot of woodworking, including cuttingboards, and wooden bowls. He left a jar of tallow + beeswax to my Dad, who also made a lot of cuttingboards and wooden kitchen items. I have that jar today - it must be around 80 years old & isn't rancid.

I've also been rendering my own beef fat into tallow, and my recipe of tallow + beeswax to use in muzzleloading rifles is over 40 years old. It isn't rancid, either.

Tallow and wax melt nicely using a container heated in boiling water.

 

[MO1]

My Grandfather did a lot of woodworking, including cuttingboards, and wooden bowls. He left a jar of tallow + beeswax to my Dad, who also made a lot of cuttingboards and wooden kitchen items. I have that jar today - it must be around 80 years old & isn't rancid.

I've also been rendering my own beef fat into tallow, and my recipe of tallow + beeswax to use in muzzleloading rifles is over 40 years old. It isn't rancid, either.

Tallow and wax melt nicely using a container heated in boiling water.

How much wax do you use to the beef tallow?

 

[ShaverAZ]

Depends on how stiff you want it. Start with 1 part wax to 3 parts tallow. You can always adjust it later.