Thread: A new home for my strop

I'm just 3 weeks into using a straight razor, and my SRD English Bridle strop has been in search of a worthy home. I had placed a hook on a shelf in a linen cupboard beside my sink. Before my shave I had to open the cupboard door and hang the strop on the hook.

The problem: The cupboard door, strop, and I blocked the entrance into the bathroom - adding an obstacle to SWMBO's busy mornings. Should such a strop be delegated to hang in a cupboard, hidden from admiring eyes??

The solution: see below. Now my strop & I are out of the traffic pattern, and my strop has a functional frame, at a focal point in the shave den. This is my very first project with my new scroll saw. Let me say that learning to use a straight razor has been much easier than learning to use a scroll saw. I went through 4 blades making the strop board. Let's just hope that doesn't happen in my SR learning process

I really like this. Great job! Hmmmm, think I'm going to have to copy this idea. How did you attach it to the wall so it is sturdy?

Thanks Sharp,

Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery...

It's made of 1/2" thick project oak wood from Lowe's. Hidden behind the strop are 3 wood screws, with the highest being under the "rivets" at the top of the strop and the lowest under the lower "rivets". The third screw is at the midpoint. The wood screws are counter-sunk (is "sunk" correct??) making flat heads of the screws just below the wood surface, and they are lag-screwed into the wall. I was fortunate that there was a stud directly behind the spot I chose to hang it, so I don't think it's going anywhere. My only concern is that the force on the knob is a few inches above the top screw into the wall - I guess there's a slim chance the wood could begin to crack between the knob and the top screw. However, it doesn't budge even when applying more force than one should for correct stropping.

It is a very affordable option for mounting a strop as my total investment was approximately $12. That is, if you ignore the sweat equity and the $250 purchase of the scroll saw - hey, I "needed" that sucker anyway The wood was $10 and the drawer-pull knob was $2. I already had the stain and the matte finish spray varnish.

If you want to copy any of the design, PM me & I'll give you more details.

Greg

Originally Posted by sharp

I really like this. Great job! Hmmmm, think I'm going to have to copy this idea. How did you attach it to the wall so it is sturdy?

I like it alot. I've been looking for a proper place to hang my strop as well. I'll have to explore similar options. I like the detail, very creative. Great Job!!!

I hung mine behind the door to my Man Cave.

I got a 4" square piece of Corian, beveled the corners, and screwed it to a stud with a loop from the hardware store.. Works good, it's out of the way and I close the door for privacy and to aid concentration while I'm stropping!

Originally Posted by LinacMan

I'm just 3 weeks into using a straight razor, and my SRD English Bridle strop has been in search of a worthy home. I had placed a hook on a shelf in a linen cupboard beside my sink. Before my shave I had to open the cupboard door and hang the strop on the hook.

The problem: The cupboard door, strop, and I blocked the entrance into the bathroom - adding an obstacle to SWMBO's busy mornings. Should such a strop be delegated to hang in a cupboard, hidden from admiring eyes??

The solution: see below. Now my strop & I are out of the traffic pattern, and my strop has a functional frame, at a focal point in the shave den. This is my very first project with my new scroll saw. Let me say that learning to use a straight razor has been much easier than learning to use a scroll saw. I went through 4 blades making the strop board. Let's just hope that doesn't happen in my SR learning process

Wow! That really turned out nice. You did a great job framing it beautifully.

Great job both of you. I just hang mine in a perfect space between the closet door and the bathroom door. iPhone photo's........

One of my favorite strops was such a good match for my vanity that I could not resist. Just hangs on a strop hook made for a boat. It's my bathroom, not hers so I could get away with it!

LZ6,

Nice! I really like the silverwork at the top of the strop. Is that part of the strop, or is it part of the hook? The strop looks as though it was made to go with the woodwork. Excellent!

Although she didn't openly object, my wife humored me in letting me hang my strop on display. I'm not certain, but I think she viewed it as one of those "chose your battles wisely" situations. The tacit understanding is that I'll make a doll bed for my daughter's 2 American Girl dolls with scroll work headboards. Ah, the delicate "negotiations" of love...

Originally Posted by lz6

One of my favorite strops was such a good match for my vanity that I could not resist. Just hangs on a strop hook made for a boat. It's my bathroom, not hers so I could get away with it!

That is a great project, And I love the detailing at the top and bottom.
I just ordered my first strop. A modular paddle form SRP and haven't been sure where to store it and the rest of my shaving gear. This gives me some ideas I hadn't previously thought of. Thanks for the inspiration.

By the way if you are worried about that nob on top eventually loosening up just take it to the hardware store with you and see if they have a Hanger bolt with a long enough screw thread side to go into the stud.