An Aussie-themed four sided paddle strop ?

Hey dudes, I was out for my Saturday morning neighbourhood scavenge when I found an old bed frame by the road.
Out came the screw gun and these came home :
Attachment 169599
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The width of all four is 5.5cm (a bit small ?) with the smaller pair having a useable length/surface of 33.5cm.
The "handle", as is, fits my paw perfectly, so no problem there, but as I've never attempted to make a four sided strop,
I need your help :shrug:. I want an Aussie touch to these and was thinking about kangaroo hide but with four sides to consider, what would be the right or preferred combo ?

Here are some thoughts:

1. Two sides balsa, one side moo cow, one side 'roo.
2. Three sides balsa, one side 'roo.
3. Three sides moo cow, one side 'roo.
4. Four sides 'roo.

Then there is the question of diamond sprays, crox and iron oxide pastes, etc.
I'd really like your opinion about this project, even if it's just to say "Bongo, you're mad, these won't work !!"
Despite the not quite ideal dimensions, it seemed a shame if these ended up as landfill.

Build them out with balsa to 7.5cm, perfect size trial with balsa only, then stick some animalbits on later :)

"Bongo, you're mad, these won't work !!" :p

Roo might be a bit thin to use but if you layed it over some craft foam first could be quite ok or maybe as Ed said, balsa may work as a base.

+1 on the balsa. Three would be heaps. Fourth is a maybe...but what?
for what it's worth, I would use thick enough foam to make them 75mm wide. This also give a cushion under the leathers in an easier way than the old time styles of hollowing the wood.
Balsa with chromium oxide on one. Latigo on another, then you roo. If you are not keen on the heavy draw of the latigo, consider scrub leather or nylon webbing.
whatever you choose, you will relish the fact you use something daily you made yourself.
enjoy.

Good thinking 99
I think I'd go all leather on the foam also with a chrox, ferrox, Latigo or similar heavy draw & a fine roo final finisher
The other option in stead of the foam could be to add a 10mm block or sleeve piece at each end to take it out to 3" then have the leather hanging with flex
I have a small old travel block strop made this way to build up the end rather than cut out

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Originally Posted by Substance

Good thinking 99
I think I'd go all leather on the foam also with a chrox, ferrox, Latino or similar heavy draw & a fine roo final finisher
The other option in stead of the foam could be to add a 10mm block or sleeve piece at each end to take it out to 3" then have the leather hanging with flex
I have a small old travel block strop made this way to build up the end rather than cut out

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Oh yes, and you could use bolts with wingnuts to tension the leather, i think lipshaws are a "bit" like that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Substance

Good thinking 99
I think I'd go all leather on the foam also with a chrox, ferrox, Latino or similar heavy draw & a fine roo final finisher
The other option in stead of the foam could be to add a 10mm block or sleeve piece at each end to take it out to 3" then have the leather hanging with flex
I have a small old travel block strop made this way to build up the end rather than cut out

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Perhaps a skinnier Latino would be easier to draw...Or a pretty one...Depending on the kind of drawing you like to do. Don't know too many Latino's that would be happy to be used as a strop though...;)

I'd love to see what you come up with, The inside of croc skin could be suitable? They have particularly thick skins...

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Originally Posted by andrewmurray86

I'd love to see what you come up with, The inside of croc skin could be suitable? They have particularly thick skins...

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one side croc, next great white, next possum, next wombat. now I'd buy that.

Just get the Latino to make some latigo to go with the wombat
The great white would replace the chrox wouldn't it

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

one side croc, next great white, next possum, next wombat. now I'd buy that.

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Good grief, this is sounding like an exercise in paleontology :rofl2:

Whatever you do,Nice find on the wood:)

Have made a few paddles. My personal one's are jarrah with roo on top. Have made some only 1 by 12 inch and they work just as well as the 3 inch ones if not a bit better as there is more flexibility in use. Good luck and post some pics once your done.

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Originally Posted by eddy79

Have made a few paddles. My personal one's are jarrah with roo on top. Have made some only 1 by 12 inch and they work just as well as the 3 inch ones if not a bit better as there is more flexibility in use. Good luck and post some pics once your done.

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Do the narrow ones help if you have a particularly warped blade?

had a brain fart Bongo just to add to the confusion, what if you were to do 3 sides in leather for paste & stropping etc & on the 4th side add a finisher hone cut length ways or full size, either glued or screwed to the base like some of the old paddles I have seen with the stone attached via screwed in plates etc
then you would have a complete "one stop paddle strop" to cover all you blade refreshing needs LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Substance

had a brain fart Bongo just to add to the confusion, what if you were to do 3 sides in leather for paste & stropping etc & on the 4th side add a finisher hone cut length ways or full size, either glued or screwed to the base like some of the old paddles I have seen with the stone attached via screwed in plates etc
then you would have a complete "one stop paddle strop" to cover all you blade refreshing needs LOL

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Thats a pretty good idea, i thought of a razor case with a finsher built into the underside of the lid, and leather on the top.

I have a tam o shanter I was going cut in half and fit to a box or strop set up for a travel set up

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Do the narrow ones help if you have a particularly warped blade?

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Don't have any warped blades but at 1 to 1 1/2 inch its kind of like a thin hone with a lot of maneuverability.