Just got my first strop a week or so ago, and I'm wondering how often I should oil it/ how I will know when it needs some oil. Saw a few posts here and elsewhere that say using a little leftover lather does the trick, but how much is enough/ too much and is that really what's best for the strop? Any advice would be appreciated by this wetshaver that is still wet behind the ears and bleeding from the jawline
Oiling my strop
- Thread starter williamsmall2010
- Start date
Hey Will welcome to B&B!
For the most part a modern leather strop really doesn't need much than the natural oils deposited from your hand when you rub it over the leather several times before each shave.
Vintage strops may benefit for some oil, especially if it was neglected for while. If you do need to apply some oil , add a few drops to your hand before rubbing it on the leather. Too much is worse than too little. There are always exceptions of course so YMMV.
For the most part a modern leather strop really doesn't need much than the natural oils deposited from your hand when you rub it over the leather several times before each shave.
Vintage strops may benefit for some oil, especially if it was neglected for while. If you do need to apply some oil , add a few drops to your hand before rubbing it on the leather. Too much is worse than too little. There are always exceptions of course so YMMV.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Kent. I guess since this strop is new I will just use my hand before each stropping as you suggested
Most strops do fine with just getting rubbed with the palm of your hand prior to each use. If it begins to dry out a very small amount of neatsfoot oil is sufficient. Just put a very small amount on your palm, spread it around, then rub your palm over the strop. Oil can affect the color of your strop and will increase the draw, so less is better. You can always add a little more if necessary. I've never had to apply oil to any of my strops. And while I've read that old time barbers would apply lather to their strops, I never have. ou
There's a thread going on called "Neatsfoot advice" and started 2/13/13 which you'll find useful.
Thank you for your service. My daughter is active duty Navy.
There's a thread going on called "Neatsfoot advice" and started 2/13/13 which you'll find useful.
Thank you for your service. My daughter is active duty Navy.
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+1 on palm of the hand rubbing. This is the only thing I do on my strops and they are in perfect shape.
I rub with my palm and once a month use a little dovo yellow paste.
I occasionaly apply a very small amount of strop dressing pretty much only when the strop "asks" for it. By the feel against my hand or blade I can tell when it starts to feel dry. It varies with the type of leather. Latigo wears like iron and needs just the tiniest bit of dressing only once every couple of months. My split side wants a dab of dressing more often. My Roo leather sounds different and the draw changes when it wants a drop. On my split side I observe for leather dust on my blade after stropping. If I am getting dust I put on a tiny dab and don't reapply till I see it come back.
when mine are dirty i use fiebings leather cleaner with atom wax... then after it dries i wipe it with a damp cloth....
works great *(for me)...
works great *(for me)...
