Thread: DIY Leather Strops for $20

Perhaps this can be stickied?

The following is a step by step guide to making a very economical strop, especially useful for those lacking funding to get into this wonderful hobby.

1. Materials

The following are from tandyleatherfactory.com. They have an outlet near me, which is why I used them, but I'm sure there are other leather outlets that have competitive prices in similar ranges.

1 x Natural Cowhide Strip 3" x 50" (part # 4578-00) $26.99


[4 x Rigging Dee Flat Cast 2-1/2" Stainless Steel (part # 1140-21). $3.99 each. You can use a different ring if you'd like, the smaller you get the cheaper they are, larger are more expensive etc. You'll find some miscelaneous ones in a bin at the store that are unsorted, and these will be cheaper.


1 x Screw Post 1/4" Nickel Plated Steel 10/pk (part # 1290-02). $3.49


Total Price: $46. Perhaps cheaper if you go to an outlet in person and find some things on sale.


2. Put it together!

Cut your leather strip in two pieces that will be two strops. The strips aren't always exactly their length, sometimes they are longer. If so, you may be able to get two strops and a bit of left over leather for a paddle strop or something.

Next, you'll need a couple leather punches. You can do this at the store with the store equip if you do not have punches. Fold the ends of your leather strip together, this will be what your d-ring holds onto (see pic below). You'll need to wet the ends of the strips with a bit of water to help fold the leather, use a sponge or wet paper towels, but don't get more of the strip wet then you need or your stropping surface won't be smooth!

Next, when you have your folds, make punches the diameter of your screw posts and make corresponding punches on the back fold for the screws. These need to line-up pretty well, leather is very forgiving because it's so bendable, but the holes need to really line-up.

If you got 3" d-rings you won't have to cut your leather, but those are more expensive and in my opinion look way to big. To fit you're smaller d-rings on, you'll have to cut notches out of the sides of the strip centered along the fold. You can do this by using a big punch, or just an exacto knife.

Put your d-rings on and screw your screw posts and you're set!

3. Sell one to a newbie on SRP

Take some pictures, and put one of your strops up for sale in the B/S/T forum to another newbie who needs a cheap strop. If you sell it for half of what you paid for it, you and someone else can get a strop for approx. $20 each!!

4. Celebrate

Enjoy your new strop!!! Here are some pictures of mine: