How to restore that strop that you got on eBay

[The*Cincinnati*Kid]

Very nice job!

Regards
Louis.

 

[sunbird]

Interesting advice...

The sales lady at the local saddlery warned me that Neatsfoot Oil might destroy the stitching on the old strop casing it to fall to bits. She recommended leather conditioner instead.

Any comments appreciated as I would hate to see the stitching ruined.

Thanks

 

[natchez]

Interesting advice...

The sales lady at the local saddlery warned me that Neatsfoot Oil might destroy the stitching on the old strop casing it to fall to bits. She recommended leather conditioner instead.

Any comments appreciated as I would hate to see the stitching ruined.

Thanks

I try and avoid very old strops with stitching, as the stitching often has rotted. I do not think they used waxed or coated thread when making most strops and the the stitches are the weakest link. Also, if there is a thin piece of leather on the top to attach the main strop to the hardware it may fail as well.

The best strops for restoring are like the one Luc did above. Main strop leather held directly by the hardware and no stitched handles.

You can resew and replace a leather top piece if there is one, but it takes a little more work.