Thread: DIY Strop

I'm new to this and please pardon the quality of the pictures as they were taken with mobile. I headed out to Tandy Leather Co round noon time and didn't leave till closing. There were so many products I felt like a Japanese school girl at Hello Kitty store.

I'm no expert. So any strop makers Tony Miller, Damon and the like, please feel free to criticize/admonish the work. I'm open-minded and all ears.

I know people make these with Chicago nickel screws so I figure I try something different. I used black Chicago screws ( looks gun metal ) to secure them. For the handles I used English Bridle. I know it'll look off on the red latigo which is why it was left unfinished

I'll post more pics when I finish the Latigo not to mention get more equipment as I'm on limited budget and didn't have any on hand.

These were acquired from 4-6oz hides to my recollection as 8oz and so forth are thicker by comparison. The local Tandy Leather didn't have much quality hides as there were several I had to go through. Perhaps in hindsight I should've bought $100 worth of Red Latigo and called it a day but what if most section would prove futile? That's beside the point. A buddy helped me out and I'd fun in process and that's what counts. Now it's just getting right material and acquired technique.

Tools used:
cowhide 3x50" #4578-00
red Latigo 34x3"
Chicago screws 1/4" #1290-04 ( black finish )
Utility knife
Crafttool Pro Modeling tool fine/small round spoon for carving and smooth beveling marks or point stylus ( used to mark leather )
Crafttool strip and strap maker
Crafttool Edge beveler size 2 #8076-02
Craftool Nylon Edge Slicker
Craftool 3-in-1 Bone folder-creaser-slicker ( burnish edges )
Eco-Flo Gum Tragacanth ( produce shiny, burnished edge )
Raw hide mallet ( rubber mallet would suffice )
Poundo board 12x12 1/4" thick ( makes things convenient so as to not damage workbench or station )
Granite slab ( was glued to poundo board )
Punch Drive 7/32
Sponge

Misc items/optional:
Beeswax/paraphin ( keep puncher lubed )
strap keeper loop ( they didn't have the size I needed 2 1/4 x 1" ) only had 1" and 3/4"

This was no easy feat. I had to compromise. Due to the limited resources, I'd to go with not the greatest but one of better hides on hand. I didn't want to go with bite marks, scarring or any of soft spots nor the non-uniformed folding.

This is how one can detect bite marks-darkened section in centre:



I know the prior was rather poor. Hopefully this will be clearer. The top portion of hide where water easily submerged/absorbed. Those are bug bites:



Stylus and strip & strap maker ( cutting strips up to 4" wide. Hold any leather weight and perfect cut every time. )


Marking with stylus point


Smoothing out edges of strop with the edge beveler


Damp the edge slicker with gum tragacanth to evoke that professional and burnished edge:

Dampen sponge and apply so hide is pliable ( not necessary with red Latigo )



Punch drive 7/32 on handle at poundo board and granite station ( underneath board ):



Note how the shoulder of the clasp is aligned with the edge of the strop:



3-in-1 Bone folder-creaser-slicker ( made from nylon )




The length is 17 1/4" x 3"



In comparison to SRD's 3" Black Latigo:


Indeed the SRD Latigo's craftsmanship is far superiour. The edges of handle as pictured is smooth and symmetrical in comparison to the veg-tanned cowhide.

In summation, I know it's first strop and am still learning. Very fun and interesting day to say the least. I was contemplating as to whether or not I should sell these at $25-$30 a pop to help brand new SR shavers out there ( I know what it's like to nick a nice strop ) but that's another thread and more importantly, I have yet to perfect this art of strop making. This ordeal was only meant to be fun activity and not to profit from it. Boyo it was fun. :beer:

Ivan

Strop looks nice. Have you used it yet? If, yes, how did it work for you?

I'm guessing this is not your first time working with leather. I think you did a fantastic job.

Count me in for one if you decide to sell them! Looks nice.

Good job. Unless I missed it in your post, did your Tandy store have the lobster clip for hanging the strop? I've never seen those at the Tandy close to me.

Chris L

Nicely done!

Most of the handles out there from the strop makers are likely cut with clicker dies.....a metal cookie cutter placed under a press, hand, air or hydraulicly operated that cuts a nice neat edge.

I don't know if you worked with leather before but you clearly are very handy at this type of work.

Tony

Went down to TLF and it's rather disappointing. I looked at 2 4-6oz, 2 5-7oz and 2 9-10oz. None of which proved to be useful. At the very least I would've been able to use few sections of backbone and end up with 3-4 strops.

I then checked out the 2x72 and while it proved be fruitless as well. I found couple that was worth using. However my goal is to have 3" of stropping width. But I guess begars can't be choosers. I've been informed they won't be getting anymore latigos as it's dependent on sale of ones in stock. :crook:

Tony, SRD and everyone else, I have to give it to you guys you definitely have limitless resources for I am limited. Even at this point I had to do away with English Bridle handles because it was too thick for the D-rings I acquired from TLF. It works as can be seen with the SRD swivel snaps, strap keeper loop previously pictured but not with materials I have.

Anyway here are pics from other day:


It's evident here from 3rd left of the latigo's staining


Here there are several striations or non-uniformed sections


Opposite end


Overall view creases:

Pretty good. I've been somewhat of a leather carving pro for over 30 years, and that's a pretty good job. I've rounded up some of the stuff from Tandy to make some myself just haven't decided exactly what I want to do.