clean and reuse a strop

[fatherleadfoot]

Ive just had my first adventure with stropping on my WEPS. Suffice to say, I messed up. Not only did the whole tube on the strops (half a tube per) but I also have made a few little surface slices in the leather with my blade.

At this point, can clean and reuse the strop? The slices aren't bad at all.

What has worked for ya'll?

 

[Komitadjie]

I'd probably just wipe the strops on a clean cotton cloth to clear the worst of the over-load off of them, and just keep going. The excess stropping compound will make a bit of a mess on the first knives, for sure, but I'd think it will still work just fine. A few little cuts won't do any significant harm, so ignore 'em.

 

[thebrain]

Should be no problem ,I have used a sharp knife to scrape the old/extra compound off then scrubbed it with a coarse cloth(denim or canvas) and started with new stuff without a problem. And don`t worry about a few small cuts ;if they flap around cut them off otherwise just let them alone , the only people that don`t have cuts in their strops are barbers.

 

[gadgetgeek]

I'm assuming you are doing knives, not straight razors, in which case the nicks will be no problem. some guys sand them off to get rid of any catching. Straight razors need pretty perfect leather, or you could damage the edge. As for cleaning, wipe it down with a cloth, and if you want to take more off, use something like saddle soap. just go gentle and don't use much water. I washed my strop with Mitchels wool fat shaving soap, seems to have worked. But even that won't take all of the compound out of the leather, which should be fine for you anyway.