Strop Restoration Question - sanding technique?

[erictski]

Hello

I have a vintage strop, probably from the 20s to 40s. It is in need of a bit of sanding to smooth it out a bit and removes some small scratches. I have wetdry auto in grits from 400 to 2500.

My questions in, how do you sand. Do you go up and down lengthwise, or do you go with circles and if circles small or large.

Thanks for any help. the strop is starting to look pretty good. One final cleaning, and sanding, post sanding cleaning and then a conditioning and it will be done.

 

[Sando]

I've rehabbed a few strops using saddle soap and a light coat of Ballistol. I'd start with a higher grit paper and work down as needed. That may be all you need for the small dings. For larger nicks, I have used a razor blade and a magnifying glass to cut the flap then sandpaper for smoothing.

...Ray

 

[erictski]

thanks.

 

[Greybeard]

Clean the strop with saddle soap before sanding. Don't go heavy and get the strop soaked. Let it dry completely before sanding.
Don't use the sandpaper wet. It raises the grain of the leather. Any abrasive particles dislodged from the paper can stay embedded in the leather when it dries. The higher the grit, the smaller the particles, the more likely to leave particle residue in the strop.
Your paper may clog quickly due to the wax in the leather. Change the paper. You can wash out the clogged paper with soap and warm water and use it again after it dries.
You don't need a higher grit than 1k. You don't need a mirror finish on a strop, just smooth. I've never used higher than 800k.
Sand with the strop on a hard flat surface and use a sanding block backing for your sandpaper. It eliminates potential high spots in the leather. You don't have to use heavy pressure. It's leather, not steel.
Sand length wise (top to bottom, bottom to top), the same direction your blade travels when you're stropping.
After you finish sanding, wipe the strop with a clean cotton cloth to remove any abrasive particles. Rub the strop vigorously several times with the palm of your hand to smooth the surface and bring the oils in the strop to the surface.
You may have to lightly oil the strop if it's dry.
Just from my experience.

 

[erictski]

Clean the strop with saddle soap before sanding. Don't go heavy and get the strop soaked. Let it dry completely before sanding.
Don't use the sandpaper wet. It raises the grain of the leather. Any abrasive particles dislodged from the paper can stay embedded in the leather when it dries. The higher the grit, the smaller the particles, the more likely to leave particle residue in the strop.
Your paper may clog quickly due to the wax in the leather. Change the paper. You can wash out the clogged paper with soap and warm water and use it again after it dries.
You don't need a higher grit than 1k. You don't need a mirror finish on a strop, just smooth. I've never used higher than 800k.
Sand with the strop on a hard flat surface and use a sanding block backing for your sandpaper. It eliminates potential high spots in the leather. You don't have to use heavy pressure. It's leather, not steel.
Sand length wise (top to bottom, bottom to top), the same direction your blade travels when you're stropping.
After you finish sanding, wipe the strop with a clean cotton cloth to remove any abrasive particles. Rub the strop vigorously several times with the palm of your hand to smooth the surface and bring the oils in the strop to the surface.
You may have to lightly oil the strop if it's dry.
Just from my experience.

thanks much.

i have already done 3 cleanings of the strop with saddle soap...never soaking it...it was pretty dirty...

dried it flat and just did a 400 grit sanding...its looking good. gonna wipe it off well and try some 800 grit next...thanks for all the tips