Question About An Old Strop

[Ultrastick]

I have my father's leather strop from when he was a barber. It is composed of two pieces of leather--the top dark, almost black piece is what he used to strop his straight razor on--and the second piece, which is a white material, woven it seems, and which is imprinted on the back "Silk...." I can't read the last word. Anyway, I'm trying to reclaim this strop, but am wondering what the name of the strop was, and what the white piece of material was for. Apparently he stropped on it because there seems to be some kind of compound built up on it.

Once I reclaim it, what should I put on the two surfaces for polishing my knife edges?

Thanks!
U

 

[WadeF]

1. Don't ruin a nice old strop like that by putting compound on it. Buy a new strop for that. You don't use abrasive compound on a strop like that when using it to maintain the edge of a straight razor. Your father probably just used some animal fat to keep the leather from drying out.

2. The white side is canvas which is used to strop the razor before you strop on the leather side. I have heard it helps heat up the edge so it is more plyable when stropped over the leather. I have heard it straightens the edge more aggressively than the leather side. Some people use a white non-abrasive compound on the canvas side, like a chalk, to improve the performance.

Again, don't ruin a strop like that with compounds. You should keep it as an heirloom, or put it on eBay for someone who would appreciate it. Or start using straight razors and use it the way it was intended to be used, and was historically used.