US1651911A - Razor strop and method of treating the same - Google Patents

Description

Patented Dec. 6, 19.27:

DANIEL P. SHEA, OF WORCESTER, MASfiACHUSETTS- RAZOR} srnor AND METHOD on TREATING THE SAME.

so Drawing.

T-li'isinvention relates-to the treating of a razor strop or similar article for the purpose of improving its qualities,

The principal objects of the lnventlon are to so modify the surface of a piece of leather of a flexible character that it is adapted to be used, not as a strop, but particularly to take the place of a hone for sharpening and resharpening razors, razor blades, lancets, knives and other edge tools and to provide a method of treating a surface of a leather article'or piece of leather so as to enable it to be used in the above mentioned Ways.

I am aware of the fact that solid hard hones have been made of various kinds of abrasive materials and also of the fact that leather strops have been improved in their quality by treatment of the surface with compositions involving mixtures of corunduin or the like, and of a lubricating mate rial. This invention is independent of both of these prior devices. It consists in the first place in preparing the inner or flesh side of a soft, preferably oak-tanned, piece of leath r and having an absorbent surface due to a filler, as for example, lard, and means by which such surface Will become a true sharpening surface and will sharpen an edge fully as well and even better than the average hone and leave the blade in a finer condition, this being accomplished by anyone using such blade and in an incredibly short space of time, thirty seconds or less being the average for a fairly dull blade.

For the purpose of my invention 1 take, as stated, a soft preferably oak-tanned leather and treat its flesh side, after it is brought to a uniform surface, with lard or other liquid of semi-solid oleaginous composition to further soften it. The surface of the leather is of an absorbent nature as stated above and will take up lard or the like to keep it in a soft condition for a long period of time.

The next step of the process is to take slate in very finely powdered condition and Work it into the porous soft surface on the flesh side of the leather. The slate, of course, is in such fine particles that after it is worked into the surface it does not show upon the surface and the strop looks as if it had not been treated with any such material as slate. These slate particles are projected deep into the surface of the leather strop and remain in position therein.

In the use'of the strop the particles of Application filed June 27, 1927. Serial No1.201,962:-

slate act the "same'as hone; The edge of a razor, lancetor the-like would be brought into 'conditionsuch as that resulting from the usual honing process, or as above suggested, in even better condition. Not. only that but the edge is much smoother and finer and the razor can be used directly after its treatment on this surface.

If desired, it can be stropped up a bit on an ordinary strop, or the reverse side of the same strop, Which is changed inno Way by this process. 7

Instead of lard, Which has been mentioned, some other convenient oil can be used such as neat s foot oil. Furthermore the oil or lard and slate can be mixed together before they are applied and applied to the previously untreated surface properly tanned.

This strop in its finished condition furnishes a surface upon which, Within a feW seconds, a very dull steel edge can be resharpened. It has proved useful for ordinary razors, safety razor blades, lancets, knives, etc.

By test this sharpening has been accomplished on blades of various kinds and in serious condition and has proved to be a great improvement over an ordinary honing. It is a very simple operation to perform and takes much less time than honing.

liurthermore the result is better and the razor blades or lancets do not have to be stropped afterwards ordinarily although they may be touched up on the strop if so desired by the user.

A strop treated in this way contains fine particles of slate not only at the surface but considerably beneath it so that it Will sharpen an edge tool but it also has a durability heretofore unequaled by strops, because the slate extends deeply into the surface. It will continue to act as a sharpening device until the leather is practically worn out. This durability is an important advantage of this invention.

Although Lhave described only two Ways in which the invention can be carried out I am aware of the factthat other modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not Wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed but v What I do claim is v 1. As an article of manufacture, a. leather strop for edged tools having incorporated within and below its surface a mixture of fine ground slate and an oleaginous substance.

2. As an article of manufacture, a strop' of leather having a porous flesh side having embedded therein a layer of fine particles of slate for the purpose described.

3. The method of treating a strop to con- Vert it into a sharpening device which consists in oak-tanning a piece of leather, softening its surface by applying lard thereto and allowing it to soak into the leather on the flesh side and finally rubbing into the surface so treated a quantity of finely ground slate. Y

4. The method of treating a strop to convert it into a sharpening device which con-' sists in tanning a piece of leather, softening its surface and rubbing into the surface so treated a quantity of finely ground slate.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

DANIEL P. SHEA.