Thread: Making My Own Strops

So both times I went to Tony Millers site to get a strop he was closed. I waited this month to see what he had and unfortunately he didn't have the strop that he used to make, which is the one I wanted. I believe it was a basic travel strop, red latigo with D rings.

I asked if he could make me one the way I wanted, but he replied that it would be to time consuming at the moment to do that.

So here I am, I want what I want and I must have it. I am a DIY kind of guy anyway. I am going to make my own strops made of high quality red latigo in either 2.5" or 3" wide with a natural canvas strap, lightly conditioned in neatsfoot oil, heavy duty D rings, & chicago screws.

Question to you all is the handle. Ive been thinking about going with the 3" but I hear the edges eventually roll.

Do you think using a traditional non handle would prevent that from occurring? Or perhaps something else I am not aware of?

Does anyone have experience in a 3" non handled strop?

In my theory the non handle provides a more even type of pull of the leather when holding it taught. Versus a basic handle or D ring which would only provide a smaller area of pull.

Lets hear your thoughts? or Perhaps I can solve this problem if you have a strop for sale.

I suppose you could buy my beat up apprentice strop...... I do need the cash to pay for the Ellis I bought....

However! I'd much rather hear the theories first.

Just so I understand what your saying, the non-handle is the one pictures, ala the SRD premium strops? And handled would be what the apprentice strop has? What if it was just squared off at the bottom like some vintage strops I've got? Actually, I could sell you that too... Unless AZbarberchick wanted them...

Originally Posted by Leighton

I suppose you could buy my beat up apprentice strop...... I do need the cash to pay for the Ellis I bought....

However! I'd much rather hear the theories first.

Just so I understand what your saying, the non-handle is the one pictures, ala the SRD premium strops? And handled would be what the apprentice strop has? What if it was just squared off at the bottom like some vintage strops I've got? Actually, I could sell you that too... Unless AZbarberchick wanted them...

The picture I took off the net as a reference to what in theory im thinking causes the edge roll. Can I see pics of what you have for sale?

Ambrose,
On all of my strop designs the Dee rings are the same width as the rectangle holding the handles so does not change the dynamics of how the strop is loaded while pulling it taut.

You could try and find 3" dee rings and just fold the ends of the strop itself through to have a full width support if you think the loading is an issue. In practice the current strop designs out there, mine, SRDs, Hand Americans, etc.... don't seem to suffer from this issue. It is the leather quality and treatment that will determine cupping for the most part, not a 1/2" difference at the very ends of such a long strip of leather. Now, a single attachment point in the middle will have an effect for sure.

Dee rings are available with my strops, I just don't pre-make them that way but include them if requested. I was not turning your request down directly, I simply cannot do custom orders and still keep up with normal production at this time.

Thanks,
Tony

Hi Ambrose,

I just acquired one of Tony's 3" strops that's 2-3 years old, andit shows no sign of cupping. The hardware, top and bottom, do a great job keeping the material flat, whether you're looking at the canvas or the leather.

I've got one of Tony's practice strops that's even older, from what I understand, that's just a rectangular piece of leather, with a hole at the top for the thong and nothing else. It took me a bit of fiddling to ensure that the strop was flat when using it. If I tried to hold it horizontal while using it, the pressure of my thumb would cause a dip at the bottom end. Instead, I found that I could ensure the strop was flat by laying the strop in my palm, putting my thumb on top, then rotating my palm down so the strop was supported by the area between my thumb and forefinger. (Sorry, clumsy way to explain a simple thing, but without pictures it's the best way I could describe it.)

Still, even with the one attachment point at the top I have never had a problem with the leather cupping. The leather is plenty thick enough to hold up and not lose it's shape.

- Mark (S-4-C)

The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company : 3" Heirloom "New Standard" Artisan Strops

isnt this exactly what you want...3" latigo with cotton strop

you can replace the handles with just D rings if you want.

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Ambrose,
On all of my strop designs the Dee rings are the same width as the rectangle holding the handles so does not change the dynamics of how the strop is loaded while pulling it taut.

You could try and find 3" dee rings and just fold the ends of the strop itself through to have a full width support if you think the loading is an issue. In practice the current strop designs out there, mine, SRDs, Hand Americans, etc.... don't seem to suffer from this issue. It is the leather quality and treatment that will determine cupping for the most part, not a 1/2" difference at the very ends of such a long strip of leather. Now, a single attachment point in the middle will have an effect for sure.

Dee rings are available with my strops, I just don't pre-make them that way but include them if requested. I was not turning your request down directly, I simply cannot do custom orders and still keep up with normal production at this time.

Thanks,
Tony

Hey Tony thanks for chiming in, and thank you for all your input. Any chance you could sell me 3" red latigo by 19" (or any length) 6 chicago screws, and 2 D rings unassembled? I just thought I would ask, let me know your thoughts.

Ambrose,
Again, I'd love to help but everything I offer is pre-assembled (with handles) right now.

I (and the mods here) would prefer direct business questions be asked outside of the threads. It is inappropriate for vendors to promote or conduct business within the threads but I felt the need to respond here as the questions that were asked and the original post seem to imply I was unwilling to help.

My apolgies to the mods if my replies are out of place and please feel free to remove my responses if so.

Tony

Sorry about that Ill make sure and ask you out side of the threads next time. I didn't mean for it to seem like you wouldn't help. I understand you're a busy family kind of guy and I respect that.

Jose, i've always got the impression that Tony's a really helpful guy. He just get's snowed under! Every time a thread about which strop comes up he get's recommended, so it's not surprising he's busy. I think to take control of that he's had to lay himself firm rules down about deviating from his production!