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Hi,
I had been set on throwing away an old Leatherman leather jacket I have, but then I got into straight razor shaving and when I thought about it again I thought - hmm, this could maybe be reused for some custom strops and paddles. Anyone done anything like that?
Larsarus
I've seen watch straps made from old leather jackets but for a strop I doubt it. You need really smooth leather and most used jackets have all kinds of creases and rough areas. If you can get the leather real smooth and uniform you can try it but I'm skeptical.
It will need a bit of sanding (probably very little), and it is on the thin side, so it is probably not the best of ideas. But I think it just might work for paddles. I'm wondering about what kind of chemicals it might already contain though - if anything would affect a blade negatively or combine with pastes in unfortunate ways...
You could treat/wash it with saddle soap or some other kind of mild detergent.
Maybe cover some wood and make a bench strop??
I agree with Tiltbackjack, but still it depends on the leather. Some leather used in jackets, etc. is so soft it would probably be about worthless as a strop. Also, the finish of the leather will have an effect (good or bad) on how useful it is as a stropping material. If you're sure you or someone else doesn't want the jacket anyway, I'd try cutting a good-sized piece out and contact-cementing it to a piece of hardwood (nicely-shaped first!) and giving it a try! I wouldn't be too concerned about "chemicals" in the leather-----the manufacturer knows the jacket will probably be in contact with someones skin. They're not going to put caustic chemicals in their jackets!