Thread: First DIY 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.