Thread: Type of Leather to use for a Paddle Strop

I am building a wooden paddle strop and need to know what type of leather to use. This is a 3.5"W x 3/4"H x 22"L paddle and I have some contact cement to bond the materials.

1) What type of leather should I use and where can I get it?

2) Should I make one side fabric/linen/denim and if so what type should I use?

3) If I shouldn't bother with fabric/linen/denim in #2, what second type of leather should I use?

This is the first paddle strop I'll have. I don't plan on using either side of this one for pastes (I may make another for that after I get this one usable).

Any thoughts or advice appreciated!

I bought some horse hide here. It is craft grade but you should be able to cut at least 1 strop out of it. If this is your first strop then the price is just what you need. Horse has a very fine grain and it doesn't take much to condition it. As for the other side I used some canvas cloth I got at the local fabric shop. I put some foam under it but I only used contact cement around the edges and cut the foam smaller so the hard glue sits well below the stropping surface. This surface basically cleans the razor and puts some edge back. If you don't use something then you may get some very dirty leather after using it awhile. I have used mine for almost a year and it works just fine.

Be sure and let the seller know what your using it for. I have only dealt with him once but found he is a class act when it comes to sellers. You can tell him 10puppys said so. :<0)

Vegetable Tanned Horsehide Leather Hides Strips Belts Carving Tooling Sheath | eBay

I like top grain on one side and bottom grain on the other.
That's because I like my chrome-ox on bottom grain.

If you're going to be using one side for pastes or sprays and the other for stropping, use your choice of top grain leather for one side, and whatever you prefer as a paste carrier on the other side.

I wouldn't mess with canvas cloth or linen on a paddle, but that's just me.

I agree with HNSB on the choice of leathers. If you leave the bottom grain leather un pasted then you can use it like canvas or fabric side

Originally Posted by HNSB

I like top grain on one side and bottom grain on the other.
That's because I like my chrome-ox on bottom grain.

If you're going to be using one side for pastes or sprays and the other for stropping, use your choice of top grain leather for one side, and whatever you prefer as a paste carrier on the other side.

I wouldn't mess with canvas cloth or linen on a paddle, but that's just me.

So any horse or cow leather (vegetable tanned for example) will work ok? I'm just worried I will buy the wrong type of leather for stropping.

Originally Posted by User

So any horse or cow leather (vegetable tanned for example) will work ok? I'm just worried I will buy the wrong type of leather for stropping.

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Go to a TANDY LEATHER store and personally choose a piece of 3 inch cowhide with NO BLEMISHES. This will make a dandy strop.

I should be dog poo tanned, no kidding... that's what some used in the "good" old days!

I've made lots of paddle strops, most of them I've got no idea what kind of leather I've used but they work, some better than others.
People have tried all kinds of leathers with mixed success but most will actually work fine.
If it got some texture on it that looks like it will hurt your edge you can sand it down until it's soft and smooth.

The "NO BLEMISHES" point is a good one, check it before you buy it, no old scars and insect bites.

My point is, whatever leather you use that looks alright and feels smooth will probably work, you don't have to go overboard after some super special leather.