Thread: Canvas? What KIND of canvas?!?!

I'm making my own strop, I already have the leather part perfect, but I know the canvas side is important. But what kind of canvas, and where do I get it? Is it the same kind of canvas they have at craft stores to use for painting? Can I get it at a craft store or a fabric store or does anyone know a place online where I can get some?

Thanks ahead of time for your help!

This is a good question. We hear a lot of talk about people making their own leather strops, and no talk about the cotton/linen/canvas strops - which seem much easier for the average joe to make himself. What types of cloth should we look for, and what about denim?

The trouble is finding something that is woven into the correct width - or tubular. If you fabricate something else, you will have a seam somewhere - not good. That realistically only leaves webbing, which is mainly jute and flax - plenty good enough, if a tad hairy. Upholsterers supplies and tack shops usually stock an assortment, but anything over 2 inches wide is hard to find.

Regards,
Neil

I've used denim. You can tack it to the sides of the paddle using glue and upholstery tacks. Use the heaviest weight you can find, and glue it down to the surface of the paddle using barge cement so it won't squirm around on you while you strop - it's much stretchier than canvas.

If you want to use webbing and are worried about the hair, you can burn it off with a match, or shave it off with a box cutter blade.

Originally Posted by mparker762

...If you want to use webbing and are worried about the hair, you can burn it off with a match, or shave it off with a box cutter blade.

Or some other razor sharp implement... LIKE A RAZOR!

I'm wondering if one might not be able to find some "dead" fire hose. I'd guess that they'd get de-certified once and a while. I know that it is available in some places, but it's pretty expensive last I heard. a fire extinguisher/ suppression place might have a line on old ones