Thread: Making My Own Strop

With an order of that I'd have 12 inches of leather for three handle and an addittional eighteen to twenty two inches of replacement leather to work with in case of a mishap and to make the top bind. I could also make a second strop just from the spare if everything went well although I've never gotten product from this vendor - so I'm not too sure it will 'tool' as well as he advertises.

I'd use the same material as the strop itself but become expensive to buy so much.

I would check out Michael's art stores or look for a Tandy Leather in your area for the leather handles. I prefer D-Rings as handles, though.

Anyone know where to pick up some square nickel links? They need to be two inches or wider, obviously. I looked at Home Depot and a couple of other hardware stores that just have free floating merchandise but could not find one that was suitable, all they have is small rings.

Have you considered the idea of going handle free? I think it's referred to as "barber's cut". Lots of old school strops don't have any hardware beyond the hanger.
When I make a strop I find an old duffel bag strap and cut the swivel clasp thingy off (they are often 2' wide) and make a small piece of leather to go through and clasp the strop itself. Two cheap rivets and, done!

I personally don't like the extra hardware in D rings or handles.

eleather.com has latigo strap up to 3" wide. What kind of glue do you use to make a paddle strop?

Originally Posted by ShoreBird

What kind of glue do you use to make a paddle strop?

I would recommend using contact cement. Not the new latex based, get the old fashioned petroleum distillate kind. There are also some spray adhesives that may be good, but I've been tripped up using them (had to refund a poor fellow who bought one because I experimented).

Certainly, you do not need handles (d rings, or leather grips) and on my strops that have these, I still use the barber's grip and hold it higher.

I would just buckle down and get a nice quality strop that is proven for your hanging strop. Even the Filly strop or you could buy one of SRP replacements and just tie a leather thong to the top.

I am pretty anal about stropping and what strops I use though.

I would def play around with making different paddle strops with different pastes, leathers, fabrics etc.

Guesskoenig
I use a 2in D ring. Hook your thumb in the ring and tension. I even do the same with my SRD, hook my thumb between the strop end and the handle in the rectangle nickel ring that connects the two. My thumb just fits in the connector. The D ring works even better keeping the thumb centered in the ring and providing even pressure on the leather pulling it flat. I find a leather handle uncomfortable the angle is all wrong and the edges cut into the palm. The 2in nickel D Ring can be purchased from Tandy Leather.

Thevez2, yes that nylon belt works great. Because it is only 1.5 inches you either have to use an x pattern to cover the entire blade or strop the heel and then the toe overlapping a little in the center. I prefer the heel & toe method for a narrow nylon strop. Just use the same number of strokes for each side and each half of the blade. Used one when I first started experimenting with nylon. I now use 2in fine weave nylon strapping similar to a seatbelt. I buy it at a local Army Surplus/ Camping supply for 50 cents a foot. Fabric store also carry a 2in corser weave similar to the Utility belt that works well. The finer the weave the better.

Marty

Thanks Marty, in the meantime I was able to find some 2" wide cotton strap. I got enought to make 2 strops for $5.

3" 8/9 oz Veg Tanned Natural Leather Belt 36" - 42" - eBay (item 120598145987 end time Aug-18-10 15:45:04 PDT)

This is similar to what I received. A nice piece of 3" belting leather. Feels similar to the Filly that I have.

I have hardware on order.

I also have some natural linen that I ordered to make the cloth part.