Repairing Strops

[bokaba]

Is there any way to improve the performance of strops that have little bumps and inconsistencies, nicks, etc caused by use.

[Thebigspendur]

If they have small nicks you can use a pumice stone or very fine sandpaper to take them out or minimize them. If the strop is not smooth you probably should not be using it. Bumps and nicks on the face of the strop ain't good for the razor.

[lax1mxr]

I have resotred several vintage strops using a pumice stone and strop dressing. Make sure you have a flat stone and surface to work with. After using the pumice (use only as little as needed, less is better), apply strop dressing, let dry for a day or two, wipe it down, then give the strop about 100 strokes using flat, round glass, i.e. a bottle, etc. wipe it down again with a clean dry cloth (like shining a pair of shoes). That will help get the strop surface nice, smooth and bump free. s/b good to go after that.

[Huskysibe]

I was told to use my wifes nail file(emery Board) to tame down the nicks. Also a little dab of rubber cement works wonders on chunks of leather that is missing.

[Lucius]

If they have small nicks you can use a pumice stone or very fine sandpaper to take them out or minimize them. If the strop is not smooth you probably should not be using it. Bumps and nicks on the face of the strop ain't good for the razor.

Hmm. I've got many nicks on my strop (mostly along the edges) and I haven't really noticed it having a negative effect, but I could be wrong.

[geoffreyt]

I don't know what you mean by bumps in the strop. I have a Tony Miller lattago strop I bought new. Over time it has developed slight but noticeable ridges where the grain runs so its glass flat. I don't think it effects the finished product any.