Making a Paddle

I have leather and lots of lumber, so why not make a paddle! Actually, what I want to do is make a paddle so I can put the cromium oxide (is that right) on it. SO, my questions are:

1. Do I need to treat the leather before I put the paste on?
2. Is there an advantage to using glue over fasteners?
3. What type of spray/paste is best?

As I understand it, stropping occurs everyday with every use. When the blade is beginning to drag a little, a strop with the oxide on it will touch it up and keep you going for a while. After that, the blade needs to be honed. Is that correct?

Thoughts? Comments? Anything will be appreciated.

Haakon

I made a paddle strop out of a piece of balsa 3 X 12 X 3/4. Glued leather to one side using white glue, weighted it down so it was flat (face down on a glass table) and put CrOx on the other side. Now I have the leather on one side with no paste and CrOx on the other. You can put CrOx on the leather if you are not using balsa. Just make a thin paste with water and spread it on and let it dry. A little goes a long way. I would stay away from fasteners, the glue gives you an unimpeded surface. I didn't treat the leather at all, straight from a hobby store. I like the .5 micron CrOx, it really makes a difference before and after stropping. Rick

Thanks! That's what I was looking for!


Haakon

I made few paddles myself, I used spray adhesive to adhere the leather. You don't need to treat the leather first. Chromium oxide is popular, so is Diamond paste...You also have Cerium Oxide....

Any your right, You can touch up a blade with pastes/sprays, but eventually you'll need to hit the rocks.

I use balsa rather than leather but the process is the same. I use contact cement in a spray can to attach the balsa to the hardwood base. I mix .5 micron CrO with mineral oil and spread it onto the surface using my hand (with a latex glove on.)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...u/P1050610.jpg

Legion,

That has a nice look to it! Thanks for your input and picture! I may re-think my previous plan.


Haakon