Thread: Proper Canvas for a strop?

Hi,
I recently made a amateur strop with the help of SRP. I asked many questions regarding the leather and the buckle, but i had problems with the canvas. I had used a very light weight canvas that i had found at a scrap store, the results of using it was a tear after few months of use. Fortunately It can easily be replaced, but this time i would like to get it right. What weight and canvas grade should i get?

I have tried a few canvases and the best for performance and durability is rip stop Polyester Sailcloth.

Weight does not matter that much, but the rip stop weave is great as the edge is cut, un-sewn and will fray a bit but will stop and perform very well. Whatever you do don’t burn the frayed threads, good lord, almost burn down the shop. Trim with a scissors.

These are great for paste, Chrome and Cerium Oxides. The slickness of Polyester is great buy itself to polish an edge… almost as good as leather.

I would almost bet a length of old style canvas fire hose could supply good material for a strop. Might be hard to find these days though.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I would almost bet a length of old style canvas fire hose could supply good material for a strop. Might be hard to find these days though.

Bob

It can be bought new but you need to make a really big order which even one of our strop makers would never use up in a lifetime.

I bought a 54X36 inch piece for about ten dollars on sale.

Interesting! I've been using cotton belt material. It's been working well, but haven't been able to find the cotton in a 3in width.

I have a few hundred yards of polyester webbing (3" wide) here at the factory. It works fine alone or with 0.5 CrOx. Had some 2 1/2" wide top grain cowhide, too - also works fine. I think a lot of things work fine.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It can be bought new but you need to make a really big order which even one of our strop makers would never use up in a lifetime.

Yea, for sure. I was thinking along the lines of hose that had been scrapped/thrown out.

Bob

Thank you all, I Happen to be spending my last week in Paris, so i went around and found a fabric shop. There i found some tough tent canvas that should last long and work well.
-MT

Originally Posted by BobH

I would almost bet a length of old style canvas fire hose could supply good material for a strop. Might be hard to find these days though.

Bob

Out here you can rent/buy canvas fire hose at US Rentals. Cost? Not sure. But hey, it's still out there and being used. Maybe I can find one before they toss it out.

What I wonder is if the fold at the edges might protrude above the surface and interfere with stropping.