Thread: DIY strop leather

I dont know if its possible cuz i've never worked with leather before. But can you sand out some imperfections?

Originally Posted by prezdead

I dont know if its possible cuz i've never worked with leather before. But can you sand out some imperfections?

I've used a pumice stone to sand down the strips before I apply the oil. It works pretty well, but like said, you don't want "fat lines" in the leather. You can tell them easily if you're looking at the piece of leather. It really is better to go to the store so you can run your hands over the leather. You will be able to feel any imperfections.

so sounds like what I want is something that stays flat and has no kind of imperfections?

Also will conchos work instead of chicago screws?

Tandy Leather Factory - Skull Cross Cycle Concho 1-1/8" x 1-1/8"

cuz that kinda kicks ass...

also, do you NEED to put oil on the leather? And do you just use any ol' leather oil?

So I went into Tandy today, and after having everything I needed in hand, added it all up, and decided if im going to spend that much i may as well just buy a strop... Oh well. Still dont have a razor i can shave with anyways so i guess doesnt really matter.

I have made a strop out of brown suede shoe leather backed with leather shoe lining and it works okay for me. A large piece suede (slightly bigger than I needed) was glued to the lining leather with adhesive cement and then trimmed to size. The full length of the strop is 28 & 3/4" (735mm) with the strop part being 20 & 1/2" (520mm)L and 2 & 3/4" (70mm)W. I made it to take the full width of the razor but you need to pull the strop very tight to stop any cupping of the leather. The thickness of the strop ended up at 3mm but gives me two surfaces to strop on. The lining side (the lighter colour & weight leather in the attached photos) is what I begin with and then flip to finish on the suede side. It's probably overkill but it feels nice & I can pick up differences in sound on the suede side compared to the lining side.
The leather handle is stiff sole leather shaped and covered in thin black clothing leather. The full length of the handle is 5 & 3/4" (145mm), with the grip approximately 95mmL by 30mmW. The "D" ring is 1 & 1/2" (40mm). The handle and D-ring are hand stitched with waxed linen thread. You'll see a few nicks in the leather from sliding the razor forward on the turn.
As I had this leather from past leather working days I'm not sure what it would cost to make.
The clip with the leather thonging allows me to tie it to a bar and it gives a bit of a tension spring feel to the strop when you put some weight into it which helps to give the strop tight.
I do have a smaller strop made out of some old leather belting, but for putting the edge back on I prefer the one I made. Attached are some photos of the strop.
Have fun making it. Mine took me a couple of hours but then I have done a lot of leather work. Take your time with it particularly if you hand sew it. A nice looking thread line is a sight to behold.
Hope this helps.

strop & tommy picture by jbtusa - Photobucket

I went to Tandy Leather at got a 3 x 50" piece of heavy leather belt stock. I cut it half to 26" and liberally applied Neatsfoot (shin bone) oil. Total cost: $14. It works great on my knives but I have not tried it on the razor yet. I will post results.

Originally Posted by jbtusa

strop & tommy picture by jbtusa - Photobucket

I went to Tandy Leather at got a 3 x 50" piece of heavy leather belt stock. I cut it half to 26" and liberally applied Neatsfoot (shin bone) oil. Total cost: $14. It works great on my knives but I have not tried it on the razor yet. I will post results.

Here the 3x50 cost $30... And I planned on putting D rings to hook it to the wall and those were only in a ten pack for like maybe $10 then needed the Chicago screws

Originally Posted by jbtusa

strop & tommy picture by jbtusa - Photobucket

I went to Tandy Leather at got a 3 x 50" piece of heavy leather belt stock. I cut it half to 26" and liberally applied Neatsfoot (shin bone) oil. Total cost: $14. It works great on my knives but I have not tried it on the razor yet. I will post results.

It looks good. I like the shape of the handle..

Maybe the nylon or poly here could be a nice adittion
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