I made me a paddle strop

[xanderhal]

So, my wife got me some straight razor shaving stuff for Christmas. One of the items was a plain cowhide hanging strop, and I was having trouble getting proficient with it. It was having real problems with cupping and rotating. I also nicked it up really badly learning on it. So, after lurking around on the forums, I decided to use the cowhide to make a paddle strop. I am really happy with the results. I get this strange feeling of suction to the cowhide now when I strop (I assume this is 'draw') that I never got with it as a hanging strop. I got the best shave so far last night after some steady strokes with this great feeling of draw. I think if I get some paste for the other side, this will be my one and only strop for the near future.

Here is the list of materials I used.

One plain 2.5" wide cowhide hanging strop (knife store)
One block of basswood (craft store)
One plank of basswood (craft store)
One wood BBQ brush (dollar store)

I also used some tacs, screws and woodglue that I had kicking around my house. I was able to assemble this in an apartment, with minimal tools and not making too much mess. Even though the block base is basswood, I decided to put a plate of basswood ontop of that just in case I ever decided to change what kind of paste I use. Both the leather and the basswood were glued to the wood block with woodglue and left compressed under some text books for awhile. The stropping surface is 2.5"x10" on both sides.

Hope you all find this neat. I really like it now as a paddle strop. One day I will learn how to use a hanging strop properly, but this suits my needs for now.

[hi_bud_gl]

excellent .i should say better job then what i have done

[Tony Miller]

Nice job and a great utilization of already found goods!

A very creative and imaginative bunch of guys here.

Tony

[Oso]

Cool idea and thrifty too!