Custom made leather

Hi Guys,

I had the priviledge of looking round my local tannery today and to get some leather "custom made" for strop purposes.

I chose some veg tan leather (great colour) of the desired thickness and quality and then got a custom finish put on the surface. By this I mean they buff up and work the surface to roughen it slightly or polish it to shine it give it the correct finish depening on its end use. You can thus control the amount of draw is applied to the razor by the way the leather is finished.

The guy recommended a medium "temper" as he called it to give the correct draw. I will see how the new strop turns out but it was amazing to see how the leather is processed as I know nothing about it. The leather is weighed and the surface area worked out by scanning under a laser. The pricing is then worked out.

I'm going to play around witha few different leathers and finishes I think as the guy is very helpful and th tannery is just down the road.

I got my leather as part of a shoulder. I don't know if this is the best cut for strops either but will see how it goes.

Anyone got any experience of leather?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbo

I don't know if this is the best cut for strops either but will see how it goes.

Anyone got any experience of leather?

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The best part is from horse's but (for real). You want Russian (process) leather for best strops...

Nenad

Some suggest shoulders for strops but I find it is often riddled with fat creases (cellulite) in that area. While this won't hurt anything it does lessen the surface contact area and simply does not look as nice on the finished product. The shoulders and flank (bellies) is where I get most of what becomes seconds. Some times though the leather is crease free right up past the shoulder in which case it is a fine area to use. You just have to judge each piece for what it is, how it feels, etc.....

I have two different natural veg tanned leathers here now. One if buffed with a flat, matt type finish, the other is a bit textured and polished feeling like a lighter version on my latigo. One never really know how each will perfom until you try them.

Russian shell was the strop leather of choice but today is typically only found in the small cordovan ovals used to make very expensive shoes. My supplier has it in two grades, $90 an oval and $160 and oval.......an oval is only 16-18" long, not enough for a strop.

Let us see your finished strop when your done.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

I used belly on the last strop and the leather was smooth towards the top of the animal but had the cellulite you mentioned underneath. I could thus only make two strops from the peice. Also I think it was polished to much as the razor skids alomg it a bit too much.

Will be interested to see what these shoulders look like now. The guy at the tannery is a leather expert and knew what I intended to use it for so hopefully he will supply me with a decent peice. Will be seeing him in the next day or so.

Wilkl put up pictures of the strop when I get it made, although my last pictures didn't show a great deal of detail and didn't do the strop justice.

Cheers

Rob

<<< The guy at the tannery is a leather expert and knew what I intended to use it for so hopefully he will supply me with a decent peice. >>>

You would be amazed at what some of these experts will send you <g>. I honestly think the only way I will get leather of the quality I want is to pick it out in person again like I used to do. I reject 50% of those sent to me and only get a 50% yield from those I do keep.

Tony

I have bought from the same place tony, and am very pleased with that they sent.

This wouldn't be Sedgewick would it? I know nthey make some very highly regarded bridle backs and sides.

In my case it's not so much the tannery making bad leather it is a lack of understanding just what is needed. Every once in a while my leathwr is pulled by someone who does not know what I typically buy from them.

I do know some very nice British leathers are imported by 2 of my suppliers.

Tony

OK so my leather arrived and it is everything I was hoping it would be - except the colour.

The leather is awesome, no celulite, 100% of it is usable and it is a nice big flat sheet. The thickness is just right and the supplness is spot on. The finish should produce a lovely draw as it has a slightly buffed surface. If you run your hand over and look along the leather into a bright light you can just see where your hand has been due to the very subtle suede effect it has.

The leather is a neutral veg tan and so is very pale. It is, well, skin coloured. It is a beuatiful peice so am reluctant to send it back and may make strops out of this but i am tempted to dye it a tan colour but don't want to ruin the leather.

Hmmm, not sure what to do. I guess I will ring them and speak to them about it.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbo

OK so my leather arrived and it is everything I was hoping it would be - except the colour.

The leather is awesome, no celulite, 100% of it is usable and it is a nice big flat sheet. The thickness is just right and the supplness is spot on. The finish should produce a lovely draw as it has a slightly buffed surface. If you run your hand over and look along the leather into a bright light you can just see where your hand has been due to the very subtle suede effect it has.

The leather is a neutral veg tan and so is very pale. It is, well, skin coloured. It is a beuatiful peice so am reluctant to send it back and may make strops out of this but i am tempted to dye it a tan colour but don't want to ruin the leather.

Hmmm, not sure what to do. I guess I will ring them and speak to them about it.

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I have found that fresh tanned leather is not strtched enough for strops. Might pay you to soak a piece and restretch it and roller it out. Will make a fine stop that way

PuFF

Quote:

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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

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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. :D 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......:cool:

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*