Thread: Where 2 get canvas or linen?

Phil just sent me a nice piece of Latigo & I would like to add a linen side before I stitch it all together. Is there anywhere you can get those continuous rolls of heavy linen or canvas? Does anyone here happen to have a piece that's around 2.5" x 19" that they would like to sell?

From time to time I've seen people selling rolls of the stuff on Eboy. As I recall Tony once said he gets his canvas from people who make firehose which is what the stuff actually is.

Hmmm, I think th firehose comment came from someone else. Mine is certainly not firehose.

Tony

I was going to say, I didn't think Tony used firehose canvas. I'd LOVE to get some hose canvas as every vintage canvas strop I've held or bought has been thick sweet hose canvas rather than straps. IMO it just rings of heft compared to webbing/strap which seems to be easier to find.

I think China is probably the only real possibility for sources for canvas hose. I've found some sources when searching the net. Much of it seems to be lined with the actual plastic/rubber hose and the actual canvas we care about only on the outside. If someone spoke Chinese and would be willing to buy a 500' roll or pallet of unlined canvas hose in 2 1/2" width, that would make such sweet canvas strops. Oh, would that be nice.

If someone finds an unlined canvas hose source, please post it in bold and giant type with alert smileys all over the place.

Chris L

Hey Chris, if hose is what you're after, why not buy flat canvas & sew it into a tube? It will have a seam running up the back, but who cares, you're not stropping on the back.

Check this out: #4 canvas, suitable for strapping & heavy bags. 26" wide, $4.80/yard. If you used 6" per strop , you'd get enough material for 6 strops for under $5.

http://www.chicagocanvas.com/cotton-canvas/

Edit: has anyone ever tried to use nylon webbing? You can get that stuff anywhere.

The problem I have found with tubular materials is that the edges, being rolled over, tend to stand a little thicker than the middle does, making the razor only touch the edges.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

The problem I have found with tubular materials is that the edges, being rolled over, tend to stand a little thicker than the middle does, making the razor only touch the edges.

Tony

Good point, Tony. They must have done something differently "back in the day" when it seemed tubular Scotch and Irish linen strops were the norm. Although the vintage Scotch linen tubular strop I own is one I don't use (too much grime on it), it's as flat as can be. Maybe they pressed the dickens out of the old strops?

I'm still saying I just love that old tubular stuff.

Chris L

Johnny: regarding your suggestion: the tubular linen strops I've held and the one I own are a seamless tubular weave. Plus, that canvas was heavy. I think if a seam was stitched, even if on the underside, it would impact the razor when stropping. That's my guess.

Hmm. Here's another idea then: contact-cement the canvas to a strip of thin, flexible plastic, then wrap the edges of the canvas around the back of the plastic & glue it down to prevent the edges from unraveling. It won't win any beauty contests, but I think it should work.

I like that idea, Johnny. I may just try it sometime. Thanks for the advice!

Chris L

I recall being told Upholsterers still use canvas webbing etc. Just a thought

PuFF