Thread: Leather for custom paddle strops

Greetings,

I am making two paddle strops out of iroko wood and I am looking to source some leather. I've visited a shoemaking business and had a look at their leathers but I couldn't find something in the 3-4 mm thickness range (I've​ read somewhere that this is the thickness l should be looking for). Additionally, I suspect that most of their leather was treated with chemicals but I may be wrong.

So what are the characteristics I should be looking for in terms of thickness, texture and tanning method?

Thank you in advance for your answers

Elias

Check to see if you have a "Tandy" outlet in your area. I've gotten some nice vegtable tanned leather from them at a fair price.
Nice project!
~Richard

All leather is treated with chemicals, natural or manmade, it is the process of tanning.

Thickness does not really matter, it is personal preference. How the leather is tanned and finished and which animal, the leather is made from, can produce varying results, but only for the most experienced stropper.

Mostly, it is again, personal preference. Stropping re-aligns the edge and polishes the bevel and edge, prior to shaving.

Do locate a Tandy store, they are on line also.

I doubt they have a Tandy on the island of Cyprus.

Find a leather worker, there has to be a hobbyist or similar or maybe a manufacturer who makes leather garments. They might have some scraps.

Thanks for the replies!

thebigspendur is correct, there are no Tandy's on the island. That's why I visited the shoemaker to ask about his leather.

I'll look around for a day or two and if I don't find something I like Ill probably order some leather from an online store.

I forgot to mention that my primary strop is vintage shell horse which I like a lot but I really doubt that shell can be found locally.