100 yr old Antique Razor Strop Restoration

So in the process of restoring a razor I needed to have a strop for sharpening. This strop came to me from the same Barber Shop collection, and was used when the shop opened in 1910. Its a bit dry and the canvas is clogged with old stropping compound, lets see if we can give it a new lease on life?

[@AirborneMOC031]

That is a nice old strop you refreshed there. A century old and no cupping or cracking of the leather? Cupping and cracks/nicks left unresolved will dull a straight razor instead of realigning the micro curls on the edge of the razor. Depending on how long the strop has been out of use and if any treatment was applied after the last use, that's fortunate and will probably secure you a good price, depending on the manufacturer. I shave with the same straight razor my grandfather taught me to shave with in the early 70's - a Boker King Cutter he probably bought sometime in the 1920's. He gave me a somewhat lesser straight razor at the time, but it was the era of electric razors and the revolutionary Gillette Twin Trac - throw it out instead of sharpen it! With the Boker King Cutter I also have his vintage strop - but rather than a fabric part, it has one one slick leather strap and a second rougher leather strop. Always interested in barber shop collections because you know from the start that those barbers didn't abuse their razors and strops - customers aren't coming back if they don't get smooth, comfortable shaves.

[@MrVintageRestoration]

That's a great straight razor story! I love it! I've shaved on and off with one for many years. The strop came to me from a family friend who is a retired barber. The strop belonged to her grandfather who opened they're Barber shop in 1910. I think what saved it was being properly stored flat and inside, plus years of stroping compound. I'm glad you enjoyed this episode! Check back from time to time, we're always up to something different! 😃

[@thegrumpybeaver161]

I’d love for you to restore mine.

[@bobbyscalchi4013]

If that is flax linen thats a good score

[@trueblu8]

That was awesome. Nice job.

[@niclaurie8424]

What is the first thing that he's using

[@MrVintageRestoration]

Kiwi brand Saddle soap, but any brand will do 😀

[@thegrumpybeaver161]

I’d love for you to restore my old strop. Let me know if you are interested.

[@MrVintageRestoration]

@@thegrumpybeaver161 thanks for thinking of us, but unfortunately we are not taking customer work for the foreseeable future!

[@thegrumpybeaver161]

Would you be interested in advising me?

[@trueblu8]

Does it have to be OxiClean on the linen or can you use any detergent?

[@MrVintageRestoration]

I like the oxiclean because it doesn't leave any residue or fragrance behind, but I don't see why you couldn't use something different. Just be sure to rinse it very well 😉

[@trueblu8]

Man that baby is in mint condition.

[@MrVintageRestoration]

It came from the collection of a 3rd generation barber. It belonged to her grandfather. They took good care of their equipment and even after it was out of normal use, it was stored properly