DIY Leather Strops for $20

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03-06-2008, 05:41 AM
marosell

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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.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/P.../4578-00-M.JPG
1 x Natural Cowhide Strip 3" x 50" (part # 4578-00) $26.99

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/P.../1140-21-M.JPG
[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.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/P.../1290-02-M.JPG
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:
03-06-2008, 06:10 AM
heavydutysg135

Thank you for taking the time to post this simple yet effective tutorial. It looks like a fun, easy, and relatively inexpensive project. Great job!
03-06-2008, 02:36 PM
2Sharp

Did you buy a leather punch to make the holes for the screws?

bj
03-06-2008, 02:49 PM
Seraphim

Or, if you want to go for the "Artisan" homemade strop:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/p...number=4773-00
03-06-2008, 02:55 PM
RobertFontaine

2" is a little narrow. I'm thinking you might be better off buying a side and sharing with your friends on the latigo.
03-06-2008, 03:59 PM
marosell

^True, I didn't see the latigo coming in a 3".

I was going to look at some scraps from sides, but when I saw you could actually buy a 3" strip, it wasn't worth the hassle to me to get something and cut it that width. Leather can be very difficult to cut straight, especially for such a long cut (to me at least) which I think is why they sell so many strip sizes.

^^^I did not buy a punch. Tandyleather let me use the equipment at their store, I put the whole things together there!
03-06-2008, 04:05 PM
Seraphim

OK guys, here you go:

http://www.sdtradingco.com/belt/4752.htm
03-06-2008, 04:19 PM
marosell

^nice seraphim!! actually, if you get a 72" like the ones at that link (for 29.99) you can easily make 3 strops instead of two, which is a better deal.

add two more d-rings and a few more screw posts and it should only be an additional $10 or so for the third strop. divided out, all the strops are cheaper, about $17 each for three people.
03-06-2008, 05:25 PM
Seraphim

Yup.

I'm on it!

(after I finish my re-scaling project...:w )
03-08-2008, 12:59 AM
Stilley30

Nice work guys. This is a very cool idea. I use a TM strop, but would enjoy making one of these for fun. Thanks for the info.
03-09-2008, 06:35 PM
cannonfodder

I made one with a 3 inch strop but slightly different hardware. The hard part is not putting it together, but finding the appropriate stock to use. I went through around 20 strap stocks to find one that had no bug bites, scars, waves etc… I don’t think I would mail order since the strap you get may not have suitable grain unless the supplier has good customer service and is willing to look through the stock for the appropriate quality. I like to touch/feel to find ‘the one’, but then I may a bit picker than most folks.

Don’t forget to condition it and break it in. I use a glass bottle and rub the conditioner in and break in the surface of the stop.
03-09-2008, 07:13 PM
Tony Miller

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

The hard part is not putting it together, but finding the appropriate stock to use. I went through around 20 strap stocks to find one that had no bug bites, scars, waves etc… I don’t think I would mail order since the strap you get may not have suitable grain unless the supplier has good customer service and is willing to look through the stock for the appropriate quality. I like to touch/feel to find ‘the one’, but then I may a bit picker than most folks.

And that folks is exactly why mine and others cost what they do <g>. I buy whole sides from a supplier who understands my needs and I still an thrilled when I can use 50% of the side. Sometimes I get 80% but often times a side is completely unusable for me and it becomes the second quality "Practice Strops" for $6.50. I only have 2 suppliers that can deliver what I want and even then it is hit and miss.

If you can pick your stock out in person the DIY strops are a great idea and fun to make. It is enjoyable to use a tool you have made yourself.

We have a local Tandy as well. Not much there I would buy now days but they are great at teaching customers and in letting you use their tools, or will even help you punch out the holes.

Tony
03-10-2008, 02:04 AM
marosell

what kind of conditioner, and what does it do?
03-10-2008, 04:28 AM
cannonfodder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

And that folks is exactly why mine and others cost what they do <g>. I buy whole sides from a supplier who understands my needs and I still an thrilled when I can use 50% of the side. Sometimes I get 80% but often times a side is completely unusable for me and it becomes the second quality "Practice Strops" for $6.50. I only have 2 suppliers that can deliver what I want and even then it is hit and miss.

Tony

I am surprised your usable stock is that high. From most of the full hides I have seen (my exposure is very , very limited) I you could only get two or three full length cuts out of one. I should drop you a PM, I could use a couple of black and brown leather strips about an inch wide and 38 inches long. It would make a couple of nice belts, strop defects and all.
03-10-2008, 04:41 AM
TOB9595

Good post and info. It'ld be fun to make one and a fine feeling of accomplishment. Course I have a TM starter so I'd use that and preen over my own hands made one
hahaha
Tom
03-10-2008, 12:06 PM
Tony Miller

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

I am surprised your usable stock is that high. From most of the full hides I have seen (my exposure is very , very limited) I you could only get two or three full length cuts out of one. I should drop you a PM, I could use a couple of black and brown leather strips about an inch wide and 38 inches long. It would make a couple of nice belts, strop defects and all.

Dave,
Like I said I have two suppliers that understand my needs and even one of them is iffy. I also send back about 1/3 of what I buy each year.

Fat wrinkles (cellulite) and raised healed scars are deal breakers for stropping leather in my opinion and both are common on sides. The neck, front quarter area is usually useless and all waste so most of the strops come from the rear area of the side, near the backbone.
On the belt strip blanks I see at Tandy, etc... most are very prone to cupping across their width and why I never use natural tanned leather for strops. It may be flat today but a week in a humid bathroom and it is cup city <g>.
The Latigo belt strops at Tandy should work fine for a belt though unless you need a really smooth finisah for appearance.
Tony
03-11-2008, 02:51 PM
Seraphim

Thanks for the input Tony!
03-12-2008, 04:22 AM
rickypr

I all ready order some 72" but im going to make a wood handle...ill keep you post on it with picts....:)

...BTW great idea !!!

RPR.