[FatboySlim]

Hi, I'm brand new to straights and stropping. I wanted to buy an inexpensive vintage strop off eBay for practice and restoration, in addition to the good TM strop I already own. So I picked up this one for $25.

It's an old Illinois "Imperial Russia" type, with the rough surface. Overall, it's in good shape, but it has a really rough patch in the lower end, and some scratches in it, like a kid got hold of it with a knife. You can see what I'm talking about in the pictures below, especially in the 2nd picture. The 4th picture is of the reverse side of the strop, it has interesting lines machined in it, I suppose to make it more flexible. The linen is in perfect shape, and has been used a bunch.

Is this usable as-is? It actually looks far worse than it feels, as the entire strop has a certain suede-like nap to it. Would I need to use a pumice to smooth or even this out? Or is it just a nice conversation piece to hang on a wall?

Thanks for any insights or advice.

[nun2sharp]

I'd use it and let the razor tell me everything I need to know. It probably wouldnt hurt to give it a coat of neatsfoot oil though.

[Utopian]

If it's too rough for your taste or if any of the damaged region is affecting your stropping, then you can smooth it out with a pumice stone. From the pictures, it doesn't seem that any of the damage is of much significance at all. It might be good to go with just some rubbing and neatsfoot oil. I have never used neatsfoot oil on a strop myself and among this forum there seems to be an even split pro/con sentiment about it. I confess I just use saddle soap maybe once a year at most.

I have never seen the back of a strop have just horizontal cuts. I've only seen criss-cross cuts. Such cut sides can be used occasionally to help keep a razor sharp.

I think you got a nice strop!

[Damon]

I would give it a light scrub with a little saddle soap let it dry then neatsfoot oil on it and slick it a couple of times with a beer bottle. You should be good to go.

[FatboySlim]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I've already started the restoration effort, and will post follow-up pics if it turns out well.