strop restoration problem!

[gangaskan]

i have recently bought a strop that i re conditioned, however, i had a few questions


first off, the cloth portion, what can i clean that with? its dirty, and i'ld like to finish that part up.


secondly, i have a little area where it looks like someone's thumb was there for some time, and it has some cracking. can i sand that down a little? or is it best not to mess with it.


lastly, there is a bend i cant get out, it can be fixed by pulling on the strop, but the bend comes back. i'd like to make sure its flat, what can i use to flatten it?

i think thats about it, i used a bit of saddle soap on it, and conditioned it with mink oil and it does work nicely.

 

[Bird_Flu]

I can only comment on the bend, can you place a flat piece of wood on top with a weight to flatten it out?

 

[tezza]

If that thumb print isn't raised, it's probably not going to be an issue unless your blade is getting caught on the cracks. Hard to say w/o seeing it but if it bugs you you can definitely treat it like a nick an give it a little buff with some fine sandpaper.

 

[chuckr9]

Rubbing (like heavy stropping) the surface with a glass bottle can improve the "finish" on the leather. I sanded one (down to about 1500 grit if I remember correctly) after putting neatsfoot oil on it. Rubbing (with pressure) with a wine bottle made the surface nice and smooth. Of course choosing the wine is a personal choice!

 

[gangaskan]

I can only comment on the bend, can you place a flat piece of wood on top with a weight to flatten it out?

it never occurred to me, but i could put it between some balsa and clamp it down maybe, see what happens


the cracked part is more like a divot, but almost a compressed thumb look. i'll have to get some pictures to explain it!


it doesn't hit the blade which is a good thing. the other side of the strop is good, i wonder if that would work better? i'd have to clean that side too.