Historical information

A razor strop is flexible strip of leather or canvas used to maintain a shaving edge on a thin blade such as a straight razor. Fine powdered jeweler's rouge or other pastes can be added as an abrasive to polish the blade. The strop may be a hanging strip or a hand-held paddle. This one is a hanging strop. Strops were quite commonly found in barber shops and homes before the invention of the safety razor, They are still used for sharpening tool blades.
This one was owned and used by Mr Bill Weston, an early Orbost sleeper cutter.

Significance

This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.

Physical description

A brown leather (probably horse hide) razor strop with a double hook at one end. It consists of two strips of leather with padded 'tongue' at bottom. This is a hanging strop which has a metal swivel on top so that the strop can be turned over while hanging from a hook/peg

Inscriptions & markings

Front top in gold : MALWA
Base in gold: 910