Thread: what should a good strops' surface look/feel like?

Hi Guys

I recently had a leathersmith here in SA make up a simple strop for me, and well I got it in the mail the other day, but am not sure what the surface of a good strop should feel and look like. This is my first strop, so I just don't really have anything to compare it to...

I asked if he had Cordovan leather as I've read that is the best for strops, he said he didn't have that but instead had Donkey leather which he said was very comparable to cordovan and definitely better than cowhide.

So now having the strop in hand (which is more like a proof of concept at the moment, since he's making me another with a hemp back) I just don't know if the surface of the leather is right... I was anticipating more of a suedy sharkskin kind of smoothness, but this looks almost too hard and shiny, like it has a thin coat of lacquer clear coat on it?? And when the strop is bent slightly, it crinkles and creases quite a lot - but when pulled tight it is quite smooth and bump-free. Should I "break in" this surface by lightly sanding it? Is the leather too dry perhaps, and should I oil it? Is this thing supposed to be shiny-smooth?

Please take a look at the HUGE images I've posted, and let me know if you guys reckon this is the right kinda thing going on here. NOTE: these are macro shots and they do kinda over-emphasize things a bit - in real viewing the shine and creases aren't so pronounced.

Thanks so much

The most important characteristic a strop should have is that it should be absolutely smooth. No crinkles at all. Some strops are very supple and are like butter and some are pretty stiff. Thats not an issue but the surface is. based on your pictures I don't think that leather is suitable as a finishing strop. Now maybe it may serve like a linen strop or it may be good for pasting so all is not lost. Maybe our resident expert Tony Miller will chime in with the final word.

Thanks for the insight. In the meantime I went on and sanded the back side with 1000 grit paper to remove that tacky/glossy shine, and now the strop has a very fine velvety surface that has a very definite draw when I run a blade over it. I also lightly rubbed it down with some of the "special' oil I was given with the strop and that really has seemed to have helped with the overall feel. From what I've read it seems leathers can be 'burnished' to a shine when cut and flattened, and well I think that's what was done to this strop, but now thankfully it has basically got a satin feel to it - very smooth and very flat. And it did bring out the edge verrry nicely on a recently honed blade - so I guess thats the true test.. Nonetheless I'll probably purchase a TM strop soon - if Mr. Miller will be willing to ship it to South Africa that is.