Here's a couple pics of two paddle strops I'm working on. The paddles themselves were made by my friend "deighaingeal" He did an awesome job, and most importantly, has the "right" tools to do it. I'm no woodworker, that's for sure. Anything I try to do with wood, looks like a 4 year old did it...My Thanks to him for a job well done...They're Maple btw....
The leather I just got at Tandy yesterday. If you haven't been to Tandy, and have one in your area. I highly recommend them. They have every type of leather imagineable and tool for leather working, even Kangaroo and Snakeskin..Plus, the smell of the shop is intoxicating. The leather strip is cowhide, 50" x 3" and thick about 1/8 or 4mm. Cost, about 30 usd with tax.
I let the wood cure for while in my enviorment as recommended, and poly'd the handles and sides. I left the main part bare for better adhesion.
I'll use spary adhesive to glue the leather to the wood. I'll post some pics when there done...
Rich