Thread: SRD "replacement leather" to make paddle?

So I am looking at buying a new strop, the cost is really putting me off, but I also don't want a cheap strop. I was thinking of buying a piece of the replacement leathers off of SRD and gluing it to a piece of wood, to make a paddle strop. Does anyone on here with experience think this could be pulled off, and still have a nice product at the end?

That would definitely work. I would suggest that you speak with Don at SRD about your thoughts. He will probably have some good input for you.

You could probably make your own 'hardware' to go with the leather quite easily and have a normal hanging strop.

Or get one of Kenrups 'Filly' strops for $20.

It depends what your using if for. I like a hanging strop for everyday use. I have several. I like paddles for pastes only, I have loom strops too, that I play with once in a while, I'd use the loom maybe for travel. So, if it's for everyday, I'd suggest a hanging style strop. Tony Miller has excellent ones, as do Don and Lynn. I would buy off either of them...Rich

I didn't fully answer your question, It depends on your skill level. Are you a good woodworker? Anyone can glue a piece of leather to wood, But as far as the wood goes, well, that's where the skill comes in. Doc has some four sided wood blanks he was selling, PM him...just don't use so much glue that it's pushed out the sides. Also, check with Tony or Don, and ask what kind of glue they recommend. I'm sure it's some kind of epoxy. Also, remember Cheap isn't good, and Good isn't cheap. I'm sure you can a really nice strop for under 70 bucks? Or am I behind the times...Your gonna use this everyday. You don't want something junky. You want a good leathe strop for everyday use....

Originally Posted by zib

I didn't fully answer your question, It depends on your skill level. Are you a good woodworker? Anyone can glue a piece of leather to wood, But as far as the wood goes, well, that's where the skill comes in. Doc has some four sided wood blanks he was selling, PM him...just don't use so much glue that it's pushed out the sides. Also, check with Tony or Don, and ask what kind of glue they recommend. I'm sure it's some kind of epoxy. Also, remember Cheap isn't good, and Good isn't cheap. I'm sure you can a really nice strop for under 70 bucks? Or am I behind the times...Your gonna use this everyday. You don't want something junky. You want a good leathe strop for everyday use....

I don't actually think so...I made a two-sided paddle strop and it took very little skill (which is good, as I don't have any...). Get a good hardwood board, sand it smooth and flat, glue the leather to it and make sure that it stays smooth and flat--another board, weighted or clamped down, helps here--and you're golden. Where's the skill? Careful is more important...

Originally Posted by JimR

I don't actually think so...I made a two-sided paddle strop and it took very little skill (which is good, as I don't have any...). Get a good hardwood board, sand it smooth and flat, glue the leather to it and make sure that it stays smooth and flat--another board, weighted or clamped down, helps here--and you're golden. Where's the skill? Careful is more important...

Dude, everyone know's Japanese are better at everything. I'm not that good a woodworker myself, to have something come out professional looking would be impossilbe. Something like Tony makes. Now, if I did it, it'd look like a 4th grader did it. You should see my handwriting...
Maybe you right, but I still contend that a hanging strop is better suited for everyday, than a paddle, which is more akin to pastes.

Originally Posted by zib

Dude, everyone know's Japanese are better at everything. I'm not that good a woodworker myself, to have something come out professional looking would be impossilbe. Something like Tony makes. Now, if I did it, it'd look like a 4th grader did it. You should see my handwriting...
Maybe you right, but I still contend that a hanging strop is better suited for everyday, than a paddle, which is more akin to pastes.

i tend to agree with you here. If you are on a budget, the fily from ruprazor is probably the best deal i've seen so far.

Originally Posted by zib

Dude, everyone know's Japanese are better at everything. I'm not that good a woodworker myself, to have something come out professional looking would be impossilbe. Something like Tony makes. Now, if I did it, it'd look like a 4th grader did it. You should see my handwriting...
Maybe you right, but I still contend that a hanging strop is better suited for everyday, than a paddle, which is more akin to pastes.

+1, I concur that Zib's handwriting is awful!

Joe

Thanks Joe, At least someone here still agrees with me once in a while!