Meant to do this for awhile. I don't claim that these are on par with expensive "proper" strops, but they are all I've ever used. If you're reasonably handy and have a 1/2 hour this can save you some $$$
Find someplace that sells bridles, reigns, and just horse tack in general. (TSC, Rural King, Orcheln's are were I look) What you want is called a cinch strap. Synthetic ones are becoming popular nowadays. You want a leather one.;) It's about 1.75" wide and usually at 4-5' long. I've paid between $18-22 for the Weaver brand. It's the only leather cinch strap I've seen in the stores mentioned above.
You also need:
*A SHARP knife. (Cutting leather and dull knives don't mix)
*Some type of cordage, I use 550 paracord.
*Lexol, or Neatsfoot, or a really greasing nose. (In the store, Lexol or Neatfoot will be somewhere very near where you find the cinch strap.)
*Sandpaper 220,400,600...it's not cold fusion...use whatcha ya got.
Here's what we start with:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6624454_n.jpg
Take the cinch strap and find what I'll call the "finished end". This is what will make your one "finished" looking strop.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._3698430_n.jpg
Here is the Butt end, with the little tag of leather you want to save!
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2711319_n.jpg
Cut the cinch strap with your SHARP knife. (Trust me on this one guys, I didn't include band-aids in the material list.) You can cut it above the second hole, like I did, or the third.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._5969639_n.jpg
This will be your "finished" strop before long.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...02&id=51804745