Thread: Custom made leather

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Sounds like nice stuff. I recently found a similar leather and oddly it was one grade down from the best which was buffed to a polish and had zero draw.

If you look at one of the Jemico strops (not the red Russian) it is a natural tan and with that same buffed finish. You can just detect a suede like texture but not exactly feel it. I sent a sample of mine, though a bit thinner than I like to "Suzuki", a memeber here and described it as my "naked" strop because of it's skin color.

Let us know how it works out.

Tony

Sounds like a Calf Skin finish, I like that for a finishing strop. Sort of like a russian finish but more nap.

PuFF

The more I look at the leather the more I like it. It is pale in colour but that makes it look slightly more modern than the dark brown leathers.

I'm going to keep it I think as it is amazing quality.

They sent me two finishes, one velvet and one shiny, both were pale like yours. I like it.

I personally like the pale leather look but was worried my customers won't. I played around with dying it but feel it creates issues later if the dye fades or rubs off. I think the pale leather will naturally age to a more mellow brown and plan to leave mine as they are.

My natural with a feel much like my latigo has been added to the starter sets about a week ago and the slightly nappy stuff my go on the #1 and #2 strops.
There are lots of nice leathers out there if one is will to look beyond the traditional finishes. Yes, Genuine Russian Shell Horsehide was the thing in it's day but it simply is not going to be found today except on vintage strops. The horsehide I have played around with does have a slightly different feel. Nice draw, matt finish, very supple yet still has some body to it but very high priced with little yield per piece.

Tony

Intersting that all you guys like it too. It does look wonderful so I am going to keep it and make some strops from it.

On another interesting note, I asked my girlfriend about the colour and also her friends and they said they much prefered it to the brown ones as it goes better with modern bathrooms. I can see why they wouldn't want a vintage style strop hanging around (no pun intended )

It does look more modern.

Made a few strops this morning from the leather and it was a delight to work with. My workmanship was much better with this material.

Pictures available on my website

www.rjoutram.com

The pictures don't do it justice and the leather looks paler than it actually is. You also can't see the beautiful grain it has. My guess is Tonys strops look much nicer in real life than they do on his website too.

Off to test shave......

Bobbo,
Nice job! Yes, pictures rarely do these things justice. Once you handle a custom made strop with heavy leather and hardware you can immediately see a difference between them and factory made items. Even if they only do an identical job they make you feel better using them.

I've always prefered dealing with people who make their own wares, soaps, mugs, etc.....to me at least it adds to the experience and you can feel more assured of getting what you want. Like you I offer the same policy. You don't like it, simply let me know. I've rarely had to use that policy but it's a nice extra.

Best or luck on your venture,
Tony

Isn't all leather, by definition custom? (ask the animal...)
*ducks from boos and flying bottles*