Thread: How To Make a (Very) Home-made Strop: A life in pictures.

Originally Posted by MickR

Sorry for not seeing this sooner. Jimbo is correct as to my source. Ask for either grade one whip thonging hide, or for a thicker hide go for grade one Falconry. It costs more though, and is finished one stage sooner, so it doesn't have as strong a draw. 'Roo hide is a fine grained leather so for stropping an already sharp edge, it should really be the 'coup de grace'. I get Dees and rivets (you'll want shorter rather than longer) from Packer as well.



Mick

I might have led him astray by the above bolded statement though James. I realise now that it could be a bit misleading. I meant that the edge is fresh of the finishing hone and has had a few laps on the 'linen' (for me that's the flesh side of the 'roo hide) and is ready to progress to the final stropping on the smooth. Sorry if I caused confusion.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

This leather is, in my opinion, one of the better, if not the best strop leathers to use. I think you should make yourself a 'roo strop, providing sloppy technique doesn't kill it on you, you will have this strop for years to come. I sent you a PM on this subject as well Sharpy.


Mick

Originally Posted by Jimbo

This is the entire point of the thread sharpy. How to make a home made strop with kangaroo leather. See the original posts.

James.

+1. After trying a number of different types of leather, and tanning methods, veg tanned kangaroo is all I choose to use. If you don't cut it up, it will outlast your children, and keeps the edge very nicely. I only own one strop now, and it is one I made myself from roo.

And the good thing about making it yourself (or buying one from a maker who individually photographs each item for sale) is that you can avoid a strop with too many imperfections and scars, which is a problem with leathers harvested from animals in the wild.

Stop leading the newbies astray Mick :P

Its call cleared up now !

I can't wait to get some roo skin and make me some strops

If you plan on making a few, I would suggest you invest in a strap cutter. It makes things a whole lot easier than trying to cut along the edge of a ruler...Unless it's one of those big teachers blackboard sized jobbies.


Mick

Great photos! Very helpful.

Looks great!