[Swink]

Hi.
I recently got a new Dovo Special and a new strop. Within a couple of days the strop was turning a little gray in places. Could this be steel coming off the blade? If so, should I occasionally clean the strop? and with what?

In some ways it has been useful because it shows me that I'm applying a little more pressure on the right side of the strop where I'm holding the blade. However, I do try to follow the advice and strop LIGHTLY.

Thanks,
Tom

[nun2sharp]

It could be oil from the blade or wear and tear on the dye and finish of the strop,

[thebigspendur]

I found when I used to strop in my early straight shaving days I was starting to get what turned out to be wear on the right side of the strop at the edge on the top and bottom of the strop. It turned out I was doing an exaggerated x motion and the shank of the razor was brushing the strop edges causing obvious wear.I'm more careful these days. I don't think you could be taking metal off the blade because if you did you would be pressing so hard you would be ruining your edge. So its probably either oil residue or maybe wear like me.

[Chris L]

Hopefully Tony Miller can chime in here. I don't know if what you're referring to is the same thing that I've seen on a few strops I have. I get some faint circular grayish/dark spots that seem to appear at random. It's not water spots/stains. I know that for a fact.

Is that what you mean when you say patina?

Chris L

[Swink]

Bigspendur's word "residue" is good. It really reminds me of the steel that comes off when one hones.

It's not a scuff.

Maybe I can take pic tomorrow.