Paddle strop

What's a good workable length for a paddle strop? I want to try to make a couple for myself that will be charged with diamond paste. I'm probably going to make them of 4-5 oz. vegetable tanned leather glued to fiberboard.

All advice welcome, Bruce

8"-12". Too short and you don't get enough done per lap, too long and they get too cumbersome to comfortably cantilever.

MDF's the key for this application. You may wish to veneer the sides (Dave's idea). Use contact cement to glue the leather on and a heavy flat object (like a marble or granite tile) weighed down with more heavy objects (2 gallon paint cans did the job for me) to make sure it adheres evenly and properly. Flat is what you're aiming for.

I'd say 10" is a good usable length and that is how I make all of mine. The 8" Dovo and TI paddles just seemed too short. If you plan to use them strictly for travel though measure your Dopp kit first or make a handleless paddle that will just fit inside.

Wider is better too, I use 1 3/4" as a good workable width and wider is even better if done on a stable base material.

MDF is very stable and resistant to the environment as is but don't lay it in the puddle next to your freshly soaked Norton <g> It's been done a few time I hear. You can varnish or shellac the sides of the MDF as well. It is nasty stuff to cut and sand and a mask should be worn even if cutting just a small amount of it. I quit using it for this reason as well as from the mess it makes in the shop. 3/4" can be found at most home center but is heavy for a paddle.

Take care,
Tony

Tony et al,

Thanks for the insights. I probably will use MDF, but may try a material called RenWood which is a very stable wood substitue and it's plastic, so it's probably puddle neutral. (My uncles and cousins are pattermakers and use some neat stuff.)

Any advantages to equiping the paddle with a screw-in -- screw-out handle?

Bruce

Portability as long as the material isn't going to warp, shrink or expand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruce

Tony et al,

Thanks for the insights. I probably will use MDF, but may try a material called RenWood which is a very stable wood substitue and it's plastic, so it's probably puddle neutral. (My uncles and cousins are pattermakers and use some neat stuff.)

Any advantages to equiping the paddle with a screw-in -- screw-out handle?

Bruce

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Bruce,
We use some similar materials at my day job,
www.dankoarlington.com

I started as a patternmaker at an iron foundry and now run the NDT department (when not making strops that is).

Tony