Thread: Compressed Latigo?

I went to my local leather shop and told them that I was planning on making a hanging leather strop. They told me in no uncertain terms that all strops were made out of compressed horse hide and that they don't carry that. I then told them that folks have been using latigo with great results, to which they replied it has to be compressed. So my question is, does it have to be compressed or can I use latigo for the strop? I don't recall in my research ever seeing the need for compressed latigo leather. Thanks.

Bryce

From what little I know about it I think "latigo" can have several meanings in terms of processing leathers and may or may not be compressed. Of course many leathers are used in strop making ranging from cow, horse, calf, kangaroo and even shark I believe and probably others as well. Personally I do not care for latigo strops just because they have to much drag for my preference.
We do have experts here who will add information here, I hope.

Nothing to add other than Black Latigo is my fave. Subscribed!

I guess going into a leather shop and getting advice about strops is like going into a knife shop and asking about straights.

They are clueless.

bigspendur, I didn't even ask for their opinion. I told them what I wanted it for and they denied me the sale because they didn't think I knew what I was talking about. This is the third time I've walked into the same shop with some questions and the third time they haven't known what they're talking about. Go figure.

Originally Posted by lt12b

bigspendur, I didn't even ask for their opinion. I told them what I wanted it for and they denied me the sale because they didn't think I knew what I was talking about. This is the third time I've walked into the same shop with some questions and the third time they haven't known what they're talking about. Go figure.

I have bought leather online and told vendors what I am doing with it. I get a nice piece for cheap. I got 1 horse hide with a stain on it and wrote the seller that I could not sell it with a stain. He sent me another piece free of charge. I bought more :<0) You don't ask leather sales people anything. You tell them. In the case of horse I say " 3" by (whatever) thickest you have (which is butt) You can find it online. Sometimes the search takes time but it's out there. Horse is very smooth and thinner.

Aren’t expert opinions great?

I not an expert, but have made a few strops, some leather ones even. Almost any smooth leather will improve a razor edge.

I am sure there is something, treatment, tanning or type of leather that will get the last ounce of performance from a strop... like most things. But it is probably beyond my ability to notice.

Learning how to strop is half the battle and as a novice stropper you will most probably slice up a few leather strops before you get the hang of it.

Buy any flat, smooth leather 3 X 18 -20 inches to make a 16 in stropping surface and you are good to go.

Latigo does have a draw to it until broken in, it may take some time and that I believe may make the learning process a bit more difficult. I recommend plain old veg tanned leather to learn on and for your first strop.

They were feeding you a crock of B.S. Go to any other tack shop and tell them what you want and they'll find a nice piece of latigo and cut it for you. Get a piece 3.5 x 28", punch a hole in one end for a tie strap and cut a simple handle on the other. Viola! It'll cost you $10.