Thread: First DIY Strop.

yes, nice job! as a leather worker myself, i can appreciate that professional looking strop.

If you plan on making only one strop for yourself and are trying to save a buck...I would recommend staying with one of the many you can buy online. Through this project, I learned that buying quality leather in small amounts is expensive because you're paying for someone else to process it (3x as expensive). Hardware is also not so cheap since you are not buying in bulk. The brass was also about 3x more expensive than chrome or nickel plated, and given that I specifically wanted antique brass hardware, I spent more there too.

Overall, I spent a little over $100 in materials alone, and made three strops in the end. The tools, beeswax, conditioner, neatsfoot oil were probably an additional $100 (some I had on hand already). To try to make up for my losses (and grief from my wife), I started a shop on Etsy and posted the two extras I made . If the go soon, I may bite the bullet and go for a whole hide.

Very nice indeed: I can see a new income source for you on that WWW auction site.

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

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.