Thread: ATTN: Tony Miller, Outback strop?

I was going to send this as an email to Tony, but decided to put it out as an open letter to see what other input/interest may be out there:

I was browsing around and came across some info that says that kangaroo leather is quite highly abrasion resistant (4x that of cowhide), and very strong.

David Morgan: Kangaroo Skins

David Morgan: Cutting Kangaroo Skins for Solid Work

Have you ever thought about trying it? Seems like the type of possible custom/high-end product those straight razor maniacs would be into (at least this one...)

From a quick search of latigo hides, it seems as if perhaps the price per hide may be in line with Latigo?



Of course I just ordered a 3" Latigo/cotton canvas just yesterday anyhow..

Looked at it several times actually. Kangaroo is a favored leather for whips where abrasion resistance and stretch resistance are important. Of the hides I found thickness was an issue, maybe 4oz at best or nearly half of what I use now. Surface texture and overall hide size is important as hide shape influences how many usable pieces can be made from each. When you buy hides you pay for the part you can use and resell as well as the stuff you throw away. Kangaroo hides are typically wedge shaped with lesser yield. Most are 4 1/2" to 6 square feet, which equates to maybe 2' x 3' at best so not a great yield.
The resulting draw matters as well to some extent and resistance to cupping. I seldom use natural tanned cowhide as it seems to curl so easily. the latigo, and horse for the most part is quite resistant.

In Australia I would bet there are much better resources for finding a variety of weights and finishes in Kangaroo, but overall size is still an issue. Here it is more limited and I didn't feel it was worth exploring further as Latigo, Horsehide and plain cowhide sem to cover all bases for me at least for now.


Now, when I release my endangered species line...well, there you'll really have something

Tony

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I saw that the hides are pretty thin, but was unsure of how that may affect a strop.

If the strop is well supported at the ends via D rings, etc, I thought perhaps a thin, pliable leather may actually conform well to say a smiling blade or such, or lay flat for flatter blades?

All I have for reference at the moment is one of your beefy starter strops. However, as mentioned, I also just ordered a 3" latigo heirloom yesterday....

If the wife finds out that I want to order any more, my hide will be on the endangered species list!

Hey Tony, what would it cost me to get a strop out of seraphims hide, once his wife tans it?

I'm thin skinned and thick headed.

I don't think I'd make a good strop.

However, that would be an interesting hide treatment: Tony offers "smooth", "lightly buffed", and my hide would be "heavily paddled"!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Hey Tony, what would it cost me to get a strop out of seraphims hide, once his wife tans it?

I'm NOT using the butt section, that's for sure!

Tony