Thread: How to: Easily make a pasted balsa strop

After a few days of testing I've used these on 4 razors now and have gotten great results so it appears these definitely work as a cheap or temporary solution.

Hey, if it works, there's no reason for it to be temporary. Nice job!

Originally Posted by backpackerx

Yeah, what he said lol. I can't take all the credit though. I was actually looking for a picket fence slat as was suggested by Max-S over at B&B and they didn't have one so I kept looking and almost missed this idea until I visualized the spindle cut in half and viola, a nice looking paddle strop for someone who couldn't cut two straight lines.

I think this is brilliant, too. I'm brand new (this is my first post here), and was planning on making my own paddle strop out of scrap wood and glued balsa. Thank you for your elegant, cheap, and simple idea!

I went out today and picked up the materials at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby. I bought two spindles ($2.35 each) and two 36" x 2" x 1/4" balsa slats ($3.00 each), total cost less than $11. The spindles that my Home Depot stocks look flatter (the square portion is 2" x 1"), perfect for a 2-sided paddle strop. I have some of Chrisl's Chromium Oxide powder on the way to start with.

So that's four 2-sided paddle strops for about $2.75 each. Plenty for me to learn on with different pastes, even if I screw them up. Cheap fun!

Nice! Just remember to flatten the balsa after the glue had dried on the paddle. You can do that with sandpaper and something perfectly flat like a piece of glass or similar.

Sorry to butt in, I've been meaning to ask. Is that pressure treated material? looks a little greenish in some pictures.

Personally I wouldn't want to be handling that stuff everyday, hopefully yours isn't.

I believe in another section of the store they have other pieces, table legs, balustrades made from safer materials

ok I have to ask, why do you need balsa? couldn't you just glue some leather to the wood and lap it flat? Sorry if thats stupid, but I don't know these things yet.
Thanks
Photoguy67

Not sure about the pressure treating. It is a tad green but not like other pressure treated wood I've seen. Wasn't aware that pressure treating was dangerous so I'll have to look into it. As far as using balsa, it's easier to find that good smooth leather, cheaper, easier to cut and work with, and from what I've read it works better with pastes than leather so that's why I chose to do it but I'm sure a good smooth piece of leather would look really nice on something similar.

Kind of off topic here, but: I am using a home made paddle with basswood instead of balsa, if you want an idea for further experimentation. Especially since it seems you have a few more sides left open on those strops!

I actually like it better than balsa, it's a bit (but not too much) harder and doesn't convex the edge as much over time. Anyhoo, just an idea if you are feelin experimental.

Very nicely done! I really like the the fact it has a handle.

Older pressure treated wood had arsenic and a few other toxins in it. The stuff made in the last few years is not supposed to be toxic but I wouldn't hold my breath, or maybe I should!

If you are concerned, coat it with a non-toxic paint or other sealer and then you should be fine. I still think it's a great simple idea for those with limited tool supplies.