how to clean a strop???

[knifecollector259]

i have a pretty basic leather strop and lately have just wiped it with a dry rag to clean it, but is there a better way to do it
thanks !

 

[ono724]

I took Knifenut1013's recommendation and use WD-40 to clean the paste from my strops. It works really well for me.

 

[HandofCod]

Thanks for the advice - I too have been wondering this. I've just generally scratched or rubbed the stropping compound off with the back of a knife.

 

[Jason B.]

WD-40 put on a rag first, lighter fluid, hand cleaner without pumice, or if damaged and covered in compound a orbital with 220 grit sandpaper.

 

[Spydesense]

I use a green 3M scotchbright pad

 

[Mr. Clean]

Gojo is what was recommended to me by Dave from Japanese Knife Sharpening and it works great

 

[RUNIT]

I use a green 3M scotchbright pad

+1 Yup, that seems to be the best way I have found.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've tried all of these, and they all work. Some differences in the character of the leather afterwards, but that can be a preferential thing:

1. Sand it with some medium/fine grit paper.
2. WD-40 applied with a saturated paper towel or rag.
3. Isopropyl alcohol wipedown, as with the WD-40 (it WILL dry the leather and leave it very firm; your choice as to whether to condition it afterwards)
4. Hand cleaner (like the Gojo mentioned above; I used some 'standard' white cream, mechanic's hand cleaner).
5. Mineral spirits (it's a solvent, like alcohol; so it'll dry the leather too).

My personal preference is to wipe a couple or three times with WD-40, let it dry, then sand it. Wiping with the WD-40 before sanding will minimize the dirt & grime, lest it be ground into the leather. Reapply compound after that.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I keep a small piece of hacksaw blade with each strop. As they get glazed over I just lightly scrape the strop in a crisscross pattern and brush it off with my hand. Frequently I won't even add more compound after doing this.

 

[SC_Dave]

I use alcohol and it seems to work well.
David

 

[knifecollector259]

thanks for all of the responses

 

[45Shooter]

Question to those recommending a wet cleaner - WD40, gojo, etc. When do you reapply compound - after it dries completely or while still wet? Or does it matter at all?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Question to those recommending a wet cleaner - WD40, gojo, etc. When do you reapply compound - after it dries completely or while still wet? Or does it matter at all?

I prefer to let the strop dry completely first. Depending upon what's used to clean the leather, some solvents may be in the mix (WD-40, alcohol, mineral spirits). If so, I think it's a good idea to let any solvents evaporate completely, before putting anything on top of the leather. Usually doesn't take very long; I've often just let the strop sit in a sunny spot, next to a window. Leave it there for an hour or two, it should be fine. You can also use a hair dryer to speed it up a bit. Even so, I'd still let the leather breathe a while, before re-applying compound.

Edit:
I'll add, both WD-40 and Gojo have mineral oil in them. The mineral oil won't dry very quickly at all, so the leather will still look darker after the solvents have evaporated. You'll still see the leather get noticeably drier as the solvents evaporate off. When that tapers off, I'd give it another hour or two. The smell of the solvents will also diminish, somewhat. That's what I usually check (the solvent smell), to see if the leather's about as dry as it's going to get.

 

[45Shooter]

Thanks, Obsessed.