Thread: Can an experienced leather craftsman make leather strop?

Hi,
I consider asking an experienced leather craftsman at a tannary whether he would make leather strop for me. If he has never done it before will he be able to make it? He makes many kinds of stuff I also have a deformed Illinois to show him.

Thanks.

Definitely yes...or no. I think you are probably asking the wrong people, put your question to the guy who will do the work.

IMO anyone with a sharp blade and a straight edge can make a leather strop. Cutting a rectangle out of a piece of hide ain't rocket science. I've made one and it works. OTOH, knowing which leather to use, tanning/processing of the hide are a different story. Chances are a strop made of random leather by an inexperienced artisan will not be up to the level of a quality professionally made strop. Just IMHO. There are a lot of variables in the surface processing and knowing which hide is the 'right' one for the job. These things make a difference in the end product. People that make strops are more knowledgeable on this than a person who does general leather work.

Originally Posted by Bill S

Definitely yes...or no. I think you are probably asking the wrong people, put your question to the guy who will do the work.

I don't have his phone and tannary is out of town.. Also can you estimate how much time it would take to build a strop in case he has no suitably tanned leather and in case he has it?

One hour.....max.

Yes, any "craftsman" should be able to fashion something so simple. But, as suggested, his choice of leather may be limited by knowledge or ready access. Also depends on the hardware you want up top and down below.

SO how'd it come out?

Leather, like fur, varies by the animal and the location on the animal from whence it originated, then the tanning process used, then the surface treatment-if any.

Say, where can a craftsman start finding that info?

Yea, maybe… but as said, there is much more to a good strop than any old piece of leather. There are some great strops that guys are making and selling for around $100. I don’t know how they make any a profit when you look at the craftsmanship involved. So you may end up paying more money without getting the benefit of the knowledge of an experienced strop maker. Read some of the old strop threads where experienced custom strop-craftsmen give opinions and tips.

Like most things there is so much the average person does not even think about, when buying something designed for a specific purpose. It’s like the story of the engineer that was called in to repair a huge piece of machinery. He looked it over for a few minutes then flipped a switch and the machine came to life. When he presented his bill the owner, he baulked and said “All you did was flip a switch.”

The engineer replied, “Yes, it’s not about flipping a switch, it is knowing which switch to flip”.

Learn to strop, then buy a good quality strop.

Having recently made a strop for myself, I might be able to offer some insight. I know this is a little off-topic from the original question re having a leather craftsman make one, but I'll get to that in the end...

The leather is of course critical. I don't know really much of anything about leather and so certainly defer to others on questions about which leathers to use or avoid. I used a 3" wide piece of nice thick vegetable-tanned cowhide. My local supplier may be able to cut a 3" strip of latigo next time they are doing some cutting, so that's probably what I'll try next if I decide to make another.

Hardware: I wanted to make a hanging strop, so I also picked up some 2 1/2" D-rings and some clips to attach the strop to an eye hook I have screwed into a door. Then to attach the D-rings I needed some rivets and a leather punch. As you may have guessed, the cost has just gone up substantially.

In the end it worked really well. But to be brutally honest for what it cost for leather, hardware, and tools, I would have got change from buying a top-quality strop from a *real* strop-maker.

Having said that, I don't regret making it as I just plain like making stuff. Now that I have the tools and hardware, I may well make some more for myself in the future as much for the enjoyment of the process as anything else. I'm certainly not going to go into the strop-making business though. Another thing this process has taught me has been a newfound respect for the craftsmanship of those who really know how to make the things.

So my advice, for what it's worth, would be twofold:

1) if you enjoy making stuff and learning to work with new tools and materials, then what the heck - go for it. You might get a usable strop in the end, but it will not necessarily be cheap

2) if 1) doesn't apply, then I'd strongly suggest sticking with the pros. They have the skills, knowledge, and experience to do these things right. And as my homemade one hangs right next to my beautiful Tony Miller Latigo, I have a daily reminder of the difference true craftsmanship can make.

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Say, where can a craftsman start finding that info?

Buy a vintage strop & study it. The grain or nap in the leather will run a certain way. I can't remember which but most strops will be assembled this way.
The cut from the spine area will also have the least stretch unless using horse butt.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Buy a vintage strop & study it. The grain or nap in the leather will run a certain way. I can't remember which but most strops will be assembled this way.
The cut from the spine area will also have the least stretch unless using horse butt.

Oh, i'm over the "over complications" of the leathers of particular interest to stroppers. I'll run across a deal someday, until then the "reclaimed" leathers i'm using strop just fine.

i'm now of the opinion that technique and experience are more important than the hide.