Thread: Want to make a paddle strop

I am thinking of making a paddle strop to use for regular stropping. Are these a good alternative to a hanging strop? Would there be anything to keep in mind when making one?

Thanks

Yes, it's a perfectly viable option. You'll need to decide on a width and a length. Most now seem to prefer 3" hanging strops but I still prefer 2.5" strops. I'll assume the width for a paddle strop would match your personal preference for a hanging strop. For length, I suppose anything between 12 and 18 inches would be the typical range for paddles. If you're going to the bother of making the paddle, you might as well make it two-sided, or four sided if you're ambitious and want to use pastes!

I'm working on my second paddle strop, just got the wood sanded... If you don't want to spend a lot of money, pallet planks are easy to come by and have a "rustic" look to them.

The one I'm working on now has nail and worm holes... pallet wood can very from pine, oak, hickory, red cedar... just depend on what "they" had for scrap...

This one will have a stropping area of 3"x12", I think I'm going to cover one side with denim...

I will basicaly have nothing in it... Old jeans, contact cement, free wood, a little time...

That looks great!

Originally Posted by Utopian

That looks great!

I've found out that there is lots of things that are "free" and with a little thought...

It's also fun...

I use paddle strops exclusively. Simple concept, flat stone, flat strop...who-woulda-thunk-it?

One of the cheapest ways to do it is pick up a couple strops from ruprazor. I cut the brass grommet off and glued it to some white oak that I had around. Leather is 21" & "paddle" is 28". Personally I have .5 micron diamond paste on one side and just the leather on the other.

Here's a couple pics of three recently made paddles. The dark leather is SRD's English Bridle, It became a paddle due to a mishap. It was made my Nun2sharp, His first attempt at making one, and a darn good one...

The other two are Walnut wood made by deighaingeal, he did the wood, I did the leather. The leather is from Tandy, just cowhide, but it worked well. I haven't decided what I'll do with them. I do have pasted paddles already, One will defininitely be for cerium...
I coated them with Polyurethane and used spray adhesive to adhere the leather based on advice from Mr.Tony Miller. I talk to Tony from time to time, and he's a great guy, and loves to talk shop....

P.S. Yup, that's all soap, I used small racks, I believe they're shoe racks from home depot and I cut tile to fit and placed it on top to make a second level on my countertop in the bathroom. The bathroom is quite large..Creams are behind me, and some more soaps, you can't see them....

Here is one I made, also from recycled timber, and it has kangaroo leather bonded to it. It is 3" wide. After playing with it I have decided I prefer 2.5" so I'm making a new one, and it will be a bit fancier looking.



Oh, one tip for you guys talking about making the other side a pasted strop. I found that a really easy way of using these big paddles is to sit down with it resting across your thigh. If you have paste on the other side it will get on your pants.

Zib, Legion... Those are awesome...!

Zib,
Looks like you have the entire Mama Bear collection!

Good looking paddles fella's. Only thing I would recommend to anyone making one is to ensure you have the leather stretched the best you can.