Thread: Homemade Paddle Stop

I bought some heavy shoe leather from a shoe cobbler and glued it to a board. I am going to use it to stop my knives that I hone. The leather appears to be a lot dryer and smoother than my razor stop. Should I rub something on it to make it more like my razor strop? I read something about conditioning razor stops and it seems like I remember someone saying to use mink oil on the leather. Or do I just do nothing and use it as it is.

Thanks,
Bill Watkins

Mink oil or any other kind of leather conditioner would be a good idea. It helps to keep the leather supple and pliant.

Neetsfoot oil, mink oil, strop conditioning paste, Murphys oil soap, Goop, etc.

Just a little dab will do ya! Work it in well and let set for 24 hours. Repeat if necessary. You do not want the surface "gooey".

Burnish the leather by rubbing it with a glass bottle for a couple of minutes each day until it is smoother.

hope this helps,