Strop restore?

[machine99703]

So hey straight razor guys,
Maybe you can offer some advice. I'm a DE user but I'm interested in straight shaving as well, never tried it yet but I guess I'll get there one day. Anyway I have this really cool vintage strop that has been in my family for a while. I would like to restore it to it's previous glory (close to it anyway) and I was hoping some of you could offer some assistance.

It's a 2 1/2 inch brown leather one and it's still pretty supple, cracking just a tiny bit on the edges, on the backside it has an embossed diamond pattern. (not sure what that is for) and there is also a canvas strop attached.
So my questions are:

Can I just clean the canvas with soap (what type) and a stiff brush? It's kind of a dirty reddish color but I think it can be cleaned up.

The leather seems like it could use some type of conditioning. I have worked with leather before but I don't know what would be acceptable for a strop.(Neatsfoot oil, saddle soap?)

I think I can just clean up the metal part with steal wool, it's not too bad.

The bottom of the strop (last 1/2 inch) has some cuts in it, should I just trim the end off? The leather is finished there but I think a clean trim would look better than a finished edge that has cuts in it.

I think that's about it, it does really look like a quality strop and worth restoring, so any advice you can provide would be great.

One of the reasons I am drawn to straight shaving is because of the historical aspects of it so a vintage strop I restore myself would mean a lot more to me than a new one I could go purchase. Also be advised I don't even have a straight.
Hopefully I can find a decent one sometime, an antique one of course

 

[Bacchus]

Pictures!!

 

[machine99703]

Pictures!!

haha I should have known, all I have is my cell phone so they won't be very good. I will see if I can take a couple and post them.

 

[mdunn]

neatsfoot oil will help. Pictures will too

If its a family heirloom dont use it just yet. Youre going to nick the first strop you use, its completely unavoidable - so learn to strop on a cheapie (like the $20 filly from ruprazor) and then use this one so you dont damage it.

 

[ramon]

I use johnson paste wax for restorin the leather , I use this stuff wne I was working in a restoration antiques company

 

[arghblech]

I use johnson paste wax for restorin the leather , I use this stuff wne I was working in a restoration antiques company

"Someone stuck their fingers in the President's ears. It wasn't too much later they came out with Johnson's wax." - TMBG

 

[machine99703]

Allright Gents,
Now with pics.
First is the cut up end, then the clasp (I can not make out the embossing), the canvas portion, and the diamond pattern inside.

 

[r0ckrat]

Don't worry to much about the cut up end, that's just where you hold onto it. You can undo the screw on the clamp, then sand and polish that before putting it back together. In the meantime, you can dress the strop with neetsfoot oil, available at most hardware stores and many supermarkets for about $10.

 

[machine99703]

Anything else gents?

Can I wash/scrub the canvas with soap?

 

[chainfire]

Anything else gents?

Can I wash/scrub the canvas with soap?

Since it's just canvas I don't see why you couldn't just run it through the washing machine even. Otherwise, the strop looks pretty cool.

 

[huracan]

I have not tried this myself, but I have read you can use the saddle soap on both.
Use and old shaving brush to foam the soap on the leather and then a pumice stone to scrub, wipe clean with a rag when satisfied; let dry at room temperature without the help of sunlight or any heating appliance; once dry, fill a glass bottle with really hot water, leave it filled and cap it, place the strop on a hard, flat surface and rub the leather with the bottle many times lengthwise. I understand this helps settle the nap and de-bloat the leather. Once that is done, condition with the neatsfoot oil. I don't see anything wrong with the cuts it has now and would leave them as is.

The linen you can also clean with the saddle soap, you can use a nylon bristle brush. Don't expect the color to improve much, but you can get it relatively clean this way. Also let dry at room temperature. When dry, you can use it as is, or at most, use white stropping paste.

Show it off when it's done.