Old strop

[matt1987]

Hello all! I was helping my dad clean out the basement and I found an old leather strop. It's in good shape for it's age but could use a good cleaning. What would be the best way to do this without ruining the leather? I'm thinking just to run it under water and then apply leather conditioner when it dries. But if anyone can give better advice it would help. Thanks!

 

[Alberta Ed]

Saddle soap should work.

 

[stitchawl]

Glycerin-based Saddle soap is the best cleaner. Lots of suds scrubbed up with a natural sponge. Follow the cleaning with a good leather conditioner. If you can't find saddle soap, use liquid laundry soap and warm water. The conditioner is the most important part to preserving the leather. Really work it into the strop, rubbing with the ball of your thumb while flexing the leather. If you can't find leather conditioners such as 'Lexol,' use a high quality shoe 'cream' (NOT shoe polish) that you can find in most men's shoe stores.


Stitchawl