Honing after chip removing

[urmas]

Hi Laurent,

The result was that I got the excess oil out from leather.
Yes, that is same soap what I used.
I'm afraid that with rubbing the leather surface with lighter fluid you can't get oil out of leather... but you may try this.

Regards,
Urmas

 

[decraew]

I like Bart's idea of using an iron and some absorbing paper or cotton.
I used this technique in the past to remove candle wax from carpet.

 

[DJKELLY]

I haven't read this entire thread, but would like to add my support for lighter fluid as a universal petroleum solvent. I would try just a small area first.

In addition, as a mechanic, it was a real chore to clean our hands and fingernails of the grease and dirt. There are many proprietary products for this, but what I found to work the best is ordinary liquid clothes detergent--in the US we have "Tide", "All", "Cheer" and many others. It makes Dawn dishwashing liquid look very weak indeed. To clean one's hands, just put a half teaspoon or so on the hands, work in just to cover, and then add water and wash hands normally. It is amazingly effective. Maybe it would be worth a try with the strop. Sincerely, Dennis

 

[danjared]

I was talking to a leather worker today (he specializes in saddle-making... y'know, the kind cowboys use), and he recommended acetone--or naphtha if you want something really serious that also won't stain.

 

[Woodash]

Cat litter....or possibly some clay from a hobby shop.

Cat litter is an absorbent/dessicant that is commonly used to clean up oil spills. Try the kind of cat litter listed as being clay-based. Grind up a small amount and prepare a slurry or very dilute paste; spread it evenly on the strop and let it dry for a ~day or so (I will call this the 'Diluclay method'!). It should pull some of the oil and/or moisture out of the strop. The question is: how much? I would try it on a small section first, but it could be what you're looking for.

Or just look into buying one of Jose's (Ambrose) corto strops. Delightful...

 

[urmas]

Lauren,

So, when you are bit lazy, then I offer for you another method for repairing your strop leather - look for some kind of plastic bucket with lid or something like that and then put your leather within it and pour the oil solvent all over above it in such way that whole leather is covered with solvent. Then let it stay there some time (12h I suggest) and then take the leather out, let it dry and evaluate the result. When needed then repeat the procedure. I suggest that you need for that quite large amount of solvent, therefore the using of lighter fluid isn't good option. I recommend for you a stain removing petrol - it is a petrol distillate without any additives. It costs something about 2€ per liter and you may need 2-3 liters of it.

Rubbing the surface of leather with lighter fluid cannot help you, thats because the oil isn't only on leather surface but deep WITHIN the leather.

I clearly recommend to you to avoid use on strop leather any substances that may contain abrasive particles like clay powder or cat litters...

As what goes to using iron - please remember that leather afraid a heat. It's quite easy to burn leather with iron and burned leather turns hard and then it isn't suitable for strop any more.

Regards,
Urmas

 

[chti_lolo]

Thanks again,

Urmas, I think that your method with soap and water is one of the best and I think I will give it a try on an old belt to know if I can master it. At the end, of the method when you use warm (not hot) iron, is it to make the strop flat?

I recommend for you a stain removing petrol - it is a petrol distillate without any additives.

I will buy that over Zippo fluid. I think "the stain removing petrol" is what is called naphta in english(in France we call that "Essence F") and I know that some people uses this for their lighter when they run out of Zippo.

Laurent

 

[Woodash]

I clearly recommend to you to avoid use on strop leather any substances that may contain abrasive particles like clay powder or cat litters...

Urmas - In my opinion, I don't think clay powder (actually a dilute wet slurry) is very abrasive at all, particularly when it is lightly applied and simply allowed to dry. It may work or it may not, but I just don't see it being abrasive to the extent that you suggest. And like I said, it is alway smart to test it first.

 

[urmas]

Thanks again,

Urmas, I think that your method with soap and water is one of the best and I think I will give it a try on an old belt to know if I can master it. At the end, of the method when you use warm (not hot) iron, is it to make the strop flat?

I recommend for you a stain removing petrol - it is a petrol distillate without any additives.

I will buy that over Zippo fluid. I think "the stain removing petrol" is what is called naphta in english(in France we call that "Essence F") and I know that some people uses this for their lighter when they run out of Zippo.

Laurent

Laurent,
You know, if I had to do this de-oiling once more, I probably would choose easier and quicker second method with naphtha. Because I'm not used this myself before, I don't recommend it to you at first time. But I believe it will work well.

I used hot iron, but not too hot - safe temperature is when you can hold your hand on iron about half a second. But anyway you need to be careful. I should add that the iron must be pressed firmly against leather and leather must be completely dry.
Warm iron doesn't have almost any effect on leather.

Woodash,
I'm agree with you but I myself just in case will avoid the risks as possible. Besides, strops are quite expensive too.
Edit: I think the only good option for strop is clean leather. Thats because you will never know what exactly is in it (clay powder, ...) and how abrasive it really is. Only exception may be a clean graphite, but I'm never tested it.

Regards,
Urmas