Thread: First DIY Strop.

Haha. I guess I should read the forum rules...are we not supposed to mention auction sites and what we may be putting on them? I'm definitely keeping this at the hobby level, making only enough to feed my RAD and SAD.

Tintin, any recommendations for slicking tight corners and notches? I had no luck getting to where the D-ring and clasp feed through. Is this where an edge dressing would have been better?

Originally Posted by JustAKnick

Thanks bruseth. This was a second attempt, the first being a 2in strip of red latigo that was constructed well but had waaayy too much draw and was very waxy. Other than that, no leather experience at all. Just a lot of videos and reading before I started.

Those lines are made with a leather groover designed for leather stitching. I saw other strops with it and thought it looked sharp. Figured out how they did it and added to mine. The edges in these photos were cut with an edger, but not smoothed. A few days ago the frays were bothering me (just a little OCD) so I went and bought a slicker (wooden spool) and some beeswax and cleaned them up. My hands were cramped up by the end, but it looks even better now.

Yeah, nice rounded-over and burnished edges really put the finishing touches on your strop. I think that ‘going that extra mile’ classes up a project - time well spent. You seem to have a natural talent for this sort of thing. Maybe you’ll want to hang in there and expand your leather-working repertoire. I very much admire the work you do. I have a great respect for craftspeople, and folks who are willing and able to work with their hands. Especially those who work the ‘old time’ crafts like leather-working and woodworking.
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the reply.

Originally Posted by JustAKnick

Tintin, any recommendations for slicking tight corners and notches? I had no luck getting to where the D-ring and clasp feed through. Is this where an edge dressing would have been better?

I made this little burnisher that fits in my dremel tool. it's just a screw that i put a piece of wood (walnut in this case) on and turned on my drill press. it's about a half inch at its largest diameter. it really speeds up the burnishing process. you have to be careful not to burn the leather.
i use Gum tragacanth followed by a mixture of bees wax and parafin.

Thanks bruseth for the compliment and words of encouragement!

Tintin, Thanks for the assistance. I think I might work on making my own this weekend. That is an awesome idea. I'm sure it will work on my cordless drill just as well (maybe a bit more cumbersome) or maybe I'll dive in on a dremel. The one I picked up is about 1.5 inches in diameter and useless for the tight spots.