reviving suppleness to a strop

[gangaskan]

i just bought a Brown bear strop from an antique store, and this thing is thick as heck!!!!!



well, i presume it has been sitting for some time and the suppleness is practically gone. no nicks, it bends but not a whole lot. what can i use to bring the suppleness back? i have mink oil, but its a jelly based paste. should i use neatsfoot? and how should i go about conditioning it back so i dont feel it will break and snap

 

[Skyrider55]

I received an old dried out about to break and crumble strop with a razor I purchased on the bay. Just for grins I applied neetsfoot oil to it. It's now very supple although not in good enough condition to use. There are other issues with the leather some bumpiness and extremely thin in some areas. I was surprised at how supple it became. Had the leather been in better condition I think it would've been usable. I'd apply it sparingly to the back of the strop with a rag. Maybe a light coat to the front after cleaning with a tallow lather or saddle soap. Be wary. Applying too much will increase the draw so much it will feel like glue. Let it soak in while laying flat. I put mine on a sunny window sill. After it soaks in you can apply as many coats on the back side as necessary until it softens.