Chrome-tanned or Veg-tanned leather?

[KnivesFanatic]

Hello !

I'm making a strop that I'm gluing to redwood and I have a couple questions

Which is preferable...
1) Veg-tanned leather
2) Chrome-tanned leather

or Chrome Veg Retanned?

Do you think a black latigo leather might be best? Any favorites suppliers?

Also, how much of a difference does it make whether I use chromium oxide or diamond-based abrasives? Should I use both? Is one SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER than the other?

I've also heard that with a high quality leather, it is better to not use a compound. What are your thoughts? I'd rather use the highest quality leather possible... but will it be water-resistant?

[gugi]

The best leather you can get for a strop is shell cordovan.
The best compound to put on your strop depends on what you want to do to your razor and the razor itself.

As advised previously I think you should consult Procter and Gamble which would be the best compound for stropping their Mach III cartridges. After all only they know what is the proprietary coating they use on their edges, and which compound would be best suitable for them.

On the other hand, we on this forum, tend to not use those razors you want to strop, so there is very very little expertise here on the subject that interests you.

[JimmyHAD]

I would suggest sending a PM to Neil Miller with a link to this thread. He makes some fantastic strops and knows leather inside and out .... no pun.

[JSmith1983]

I was looking for some leather to try and make a strop and was looking for the same info also. What I found was that the chrome tanned leather will have trace particles from the tanning process where the veg tanned stuff won't, but who knows if that is accurate. Lets hope someone with leather working experience chimes in because I would like to know also.

[Druid]

Good advice above.. talk to Neil.

Any advice I could give would be worthless compared to what Neil knows about leather ..

[KnivesFanatic]

Thanks !!

So right now I'm thinking about getting Shell cordovan from Shell Cordovan « Horween Leather Company and not using any compounds. What are your thoughts?

[Christel]

Would a chromium oxide pasted strop work for this purpose? I don't even possess a cartridge razors with which to test but it doesn't seem a ridiculous proposition... Unless the tight tolerance between he blades prevents this?

[aa1192]

I would say your best bet is head to a Tandy Leather and buy a veg tanned belt blank or search through the scraps. The people there are both helpful and knowledgeable in my experience. Strop leather is very personal IME. I love Bridle, but am not a huge fan of the Latigo. Someone can tell you what's the best leather, but they can't tell you what's the best leather for YOU. That's just my opinion though and there are far more qualified people here.