My first shell strop - not sure how to clean

[rambus007]

Hi guys. I picked up a vintage shell strop for $10 a few days ago and I've never heard of shell so I thought I would post here to see if some of you wouldn't mind commenting on it as well as suggestions on how to best clean it. There's a linen (I think it's linen) strop attached as well but there's a waxy substance covering it. I was going to attempt to strip it off but I thought I would wait to see what you guys say about it first. I would also like to replace the rusted hanger on this strop with something shiny and new...any suggestions?

So far I've only cleaned the black shell leather with some shaving lather which I brushed on, let sit for 10 mins, then wiped off with a cloth. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Kees]

Shell is horse leather from the butt end of the beast.
I would try to brush the linen clean with soap and water, use saddle soap on a sponge for the shell.

 

[natchez]

Shell is horse leather from the butt end of the beast.
I would try to brush the linen clean with soap and water, use saddle soap on a sponge for the shell.

+1- Saddle soap should do the trick for the leather.

As to the linen, your strop looks to be in too good a shape to take apart, so a tiny bit of liquid laundry detergent and water might help clean it.

The stitching on these may look good, but be rotten. Over time the lather and water can degrade the stitches and they may be in place, but not strong. Gently pull up on the layer of leather on the back of the handles to make sure that your stitching is still good.

I had an old strop that was falling apart, rotten stitching, so I finished the process by taking it all apart. Then I washed the linen in cold water with detergent and bleach in the washing machine on gentle, air dried, and then put the strop back together.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[rambus007]

I wasn't sure if I could actually wash the linen strop but since two of you have recommended it then I will go ahead and do that (without disassembling the whole thing). I'll try the saddlesoap as well. Thanks guys.

 

[W_B_K]

Vintage linen should have a waxy coating on it. Sometimes it gets nasty, but the wax is part of its design. If it is not dirty, leave it as is. If it is dirty, you can clean it with a light detergent but don't scrub so hard to take the coating off.

 

[Munxcub]

Hey Terry, I have a similar old strop, shell with linen, and I took the lug out to separate the 2 strops. Put the linen in the wash and hung it to dry (was all kinked from being folded in half in storage before I got it).

As for the leather I used some saddle soap, cleaned it up and then soaked it in neetsfoot oil for a day or 2. Boy, it came to life after that. Nice and supple, good draw. I made sure to wipe off any and all excess oil and had it hanging up for a few weeks before I had a need to strop on it. So far it's doing the trick nicely! The linen strop is still kinda waxy feeling, so I mustn't have ruined that coating W_B_K is talking about. (had not heard about that before I did it, so I might have just gotten lucky)

Nice score, yours is much nicer than mine, with the handle and stuff.

 

[rambus007]

Thanks guys. Where do I get neetfoot oil?

 

[Luc]

This thread should help you...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=163703

 

[Munxcub]

That is one thing I could find locally... I just went to a saddlery, where they sell saddles and cow boy stuff. They had saddle soap, neetsfoot, all of it.

If you can't find any let me know and I can send you some.

 

[rambus007]

That is one thing I could find locally... I just went to a saddlery, where they sell saddles and cow boy stuff. They had saddle soap, neetsfoot, all of it.

If you can't find any let me know and I can send you some.

How much does the saddle soap and neetsfoot oil cost? I might have to ask you to send me some.

 

[W_B_K]

Saddle soap is cheap, about $4-5. You can find it in the shoe dept of most stores.

 

[Munxcub]

I think all in I might have spent $20. They were sizable bottles too, Like a windex sized spray bottle of saddle soap and like a 1L or better jerry can type jug of oil.

 

[rambus007]

Saddle soap is cheap, about $4-5. You can find it in the shoe dept of most stores.

I think all in I might have spent $20. They were sizable bottles too, Like a windex sized spray bottle of saddle soap and like a 1L or better jerry can type jug of oil.

Thanks guys. I just have to watch where I'm spending my money now because I've acquire so much equipment and such for this hobby already.

 

[Munxcub]

Now that I have my old strop all cleaned up I could send you some of my soap and oil. (still have quite a bit left over) Let me know via email or something. I'm not planning on getting any more old strops anytime soon as this one is working quite well for me thus far.

 

[ouch]

This thread should help you...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=163703

Great post.

 

[rambus007]

Now that I have my old strop all cleaned up I could send you some of my soap and oil. (still have quite a bit left over) Let me know via email or something. I'm not planning on getting any more old strops anytime soon as this one is working quite well for me thus far.

Thanks Chris but I think it might be hard to send a liquid in the mail. . I may take you up on some saddle soap though.

 

[rambus007]

Great post.

Thank you I read about that and yes it's a great post. Thanks Luc.

 

[Munxcub]

My saddle soap is also liquid, it's not a puck like in Luc's thread.