Strop question

[Epicurian]

Have a bovine strop that I've not used and just let lay around. It seems to be in good shape. Anyway, I'm finally going to use it. My question is, should I condition the leather with anything before using or just use as is?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Mo2]

you could just use it. if you condition it, you will need to wait like 24 hours or more for that to finish its job, you dont want that stuff on your blade.

conditioning it is recommended so your strop doesnt dry out. i went to walmart and got some leather shoe conditioner that was the same color as my strop. keeps it in tip top shape. dont believe you have to do this before stropping tho.

is it smooth side or rough side? are you using compound, or none? is it brand new?

 

[Epicurian]

It's the rough side. Thinking of using the CBN 1micron paste. And it's been just laying around, basically a paperweight for a couple years.
Would Obenof's work?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

It's the rough side. Thinking of using the CBN 1micron paste. And it's been just laying around, basically a paperweight for a couple years.
Would Obenof's work?

For the rough side leather, on a strop that's not been used in just a couple of years and 'seems to be in good shape', I wouldn't see a need for conditioning the leather. You can if you want to, but you likely don't need it.

If you had noticed the leather becoming exceptionally dry (cracking, lots of it flaking off, etc), then conditioning the leather could help. But it doesn't sound like that's an issue anyway.


David