Thread: A Strop Project

Hirlau, we haven't spoken much, but I have great respect & appreciation for your posts.

My local leather shop (Portland Leather) scores an edge w/ a ballpoint along a metal straightedge before reaching for a blade. Next, takes a blade along the same straight edge & tries to keep it in the bottom of the trough created by the ballpoint. Next, uses a straight edge cutting tool (about $20) which is simply a blade w/ a width-limiting guide, cutting inside the slice left by the knife. I wasn't worth a dang at cutting straight either. If the variation in the cut is minimal, an edging tool will make it undetectable. For finish-burnishing the edge, the traditional method is literally to wipe spit on the raw edge, and burnish w/ a wooden handled tool - even a wooden kitchen spoon. (Thank You HidestoArt)

HidestoArt is probably the most experienced leather worker I'll ever have the pleasure to speak with. And, he's a wonderful guy. Connecting with him is sure to be informative, and a great pleasure.

All Best to you & yours, Hirlau

Very nicely done, good job. Let us know how the fire hose works out for you.

Did you burnish the leather with an old Pinaud bottle.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hirlau, we haven't spoken much, but I have great respect & appreciation for your posts.

My local leather shop (Portland Leather) scores an edge w/ a ballpoint along a metal straightedge before reaching for a blade. Next, takes a blade along the same straight edge & tries to keep it in the bottom of the trough created by the ballpoint. Next, uses a straight edge cutting tool (about $20) which is simply a blade w/ a width-limiting guide, cutting inside the slice left by the knife. I wasn't worth a dang at cutting straight either. If the variation in the cut is minimal, an edging tool will make it undetectable. For finish-burnishing the edge, the traditional method is literally to wipe spit on the raw edge, and burnish w/ a wooden handled tool - even a wooden kitchen spoon. (Thank You HidestoArt)

HidestoArt is probably the most experienced leather worker I'll ever have the pleasure to speak with. And, he's a wonderful guy. Connecting with him is sure to be informative, and a great pleasure.

All Best to you & yours, Hirlau

Thank you for the kind words,,,,

I'm going to spend time tonight looking for the tools you mentioned & read up on the techniques,,, this helps me a lot,,, the cutting was the hardest part for me.

Originally Posted by apipeguy

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Did you burnish the leather with an old Pinaud bottle.

No,,,, but I did sprinkle some Pinaud on the strops to bless them,,,,,

Looks good, John.
I cut a half circle, cutouts in the end caps, the curve cut is stronger than a square cut. I use a punch, but an Exacto knife works. Cut the cap the same width as the strop.

The 2in D ring fits a 3in strop nicely.

You can also burnish and round the edges with a bit of watered down hide glue and a small plastic wheel with a concave surface (screen door replacement wheel) . Dab some glue on the edge and rub with the wheel, it will round the edge and glue the loose fibers down. Tandy sells edge dressing, but I think it is just hide glue. They also sell wood and plastic slickers, for a few bucks.

If you want a good swivel, Ace Hardware(about $5) snaps to the D ring with a nylon or leather lanyard on the other end. I normally just use an 18 in piece of Para Cord, fits over a doorknob nicely.

If you are cutting long straight cuts with a knife, Clamp a metal straight edge over the leather to a table or bench. A drop of Loctite, keeps the Chicago Screws from working loose.

Some great ideas,,,, it will be a week or so before I finish out the two cotton straps I have left.

For the d-ring that is too small to get your hand into, consider getting a strip of leather, about 3/8th of a inch wide and 12 inches long, and tying a loop in it. You will be able to hang onto that much easier.

I have plenty of leather left,,, that's a good idea.
I just got the hardware today to finish the remaining 2 strips of linen that Geezer gave me,,, they are much bigger & will work on them tomorrow night,,,,,,,,,,pics to follow.

I got the big D-Rings that Euclid suggested for the remaining strops.

Originally Posted by nipper

I say awesome as well! Very nice of Richard (Geezer) and I'm sure he'll be pleased to see how well you put the material to use.

I am!! And his efforts are way better than my first fumbles!!
~Richard