Thread: Leather advice please

Thanks for that info Bruce, it helped a lot. Now the question that comes to mind is why do people both with 3" wide when most razors (or at least what I've seen) are 4" wide? It seems like it creates a lot of extra strokes!

I think you will find that the actual blade length of most razors is less than 3". The overall length, scales plus the tang sticking out may be 4" but the blades are almost always a bit less than 3".

For paddles any weight will do really as long as the surface is smooth and without dips or bumps. I used to use 4 to 5 oz, now I use 7 to 9 oz. For hanging strops most will be 7 to 9oz. Some commercial ones like Dovo or jemico may be a bit less.

Thickness can vary a lot as long as the stiffness makes up for it. I thin Dovo strop usually has enough stiffness to handle well, on a heavy 9oz or higher weight I would use a more supple leather so the strop would not be as hard. It is a balance of factors as well as personal taste. I like supple over stiff, other want a thick strop simply because it looks more substantial. To me the proof is in the pudding....if the combination of thickness and suppleness works I don't care how thick or thin it is.

Tony