Thread: Make your own paddle strop

I finally finished making my own paddle strops and think they came out pretty nice. I started with Red Oak boards 3" by 16" and plained them to about 1/2" thick. I tried using leather on them but decided that I liked the balsa better so took the leather off and replaced with balsa. Balsa has a smoother and flatter draw than leather.

You can use contact cement but I decided to use waterproof wood glue to attach the balsa to the paddles. You have to clamp with two other boards while the glue dries. I sanded with a 6" belt sander to get the surface smooth and as flat as possible. I put the numbers on with a permanent marker then I applied five coats of Satin Polyurethane for the finish. I lightly sanded again to get rid of a few drips of Poly on the balsa. I then applied the the liquid diamond abrasive I got from Tedpellas and let dry for one day. I have used these paddles on 6 razors and am really impressed with the results. The smaller paddle is 2" wide and I will use it as a travel touch up strop.

bj

I made this denim paddle a month or so ago using contact cement to fasten it down to the red oak. The denim seems to be about as effective as vintage linen, and much nicer than the Illinois linen even after you remove the plastic. I was gonna put leather on the other side, but after trying it out it seems the denim doesn't bang the edge around as much as linen, do I don't need to align the edge on leather before shaving. Denim doesn't last like linen, but it does a great job maintaining a nice edge, and it's cheap.

Very Cool,

There is a ton of talent in this place!!!!

Nice strops guys,

Lynn

I am very impressed with the way those came out... they look great!!!!
The bad thing is now the wheels just started turning in my brain again

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I also like the balsa because when the surface gets a little grooved or uneven it is an easy chore to re-sand with the belt sander and reapply the abrasive. I have them hanging in my closet.

bj

I made this out of scrap a while ago. The box was originally for a larger strop. Something about cutting twice, measuring how many times? I love it!

i am make some myself should the back side of the leather be up or the smooth side and should you sand them some

What grit do you guys finish sanding the blsa wood with?

+Buckler

try using 220, some 600 then 1000, or some combination similar. The thing with this is it is not rocket science. Just make it smooth and use a flat surface to support your sandpaper especially if your other option is your hands.
aaron

Considering how soft balsa wood is, aren't you concerned about the sandpaper grit becoming embedded in the wood?