Thread: "Proper" Width of a Strop?

Wow, that only took five or six years to finally come to maturity. I bet there are hundreds of 3 inch wide hones and 3 inch wide strops in the world just so people can "avoid" an x pattern.

Nelson, you hit that one on the head.

I like both sizes, but that is a damn good point. Jeez, I really yearn for a Sr. Member forum.

Here's the strop I made. Not bad for 2 hours work. Really wish I had gotten the rivets a bit better spaced, but it's not so bad.




I decided to loop through a rawhide shoelace for a handle to hold while you're stropping, but I wonder if over time it will cause the strop to cup? The leather is really quite stiff.




Lastly, the leather isn't perfectly straight, in fact there are minor hills and valleys that dont go away when taut. I used my practice razor on it, and you can hear it making different sounds as it rolls over some of the hills. What's the best way to make it as flat as I can make it?

Here's a (poor) picture of the shape of the leather.




So to sum up then, do you think the shoelace would cause cupping? And what's the best way to really flatten out my leather, without buying an oil or treatment?

EDIT: If the flanges look kind of loose or shabby, I havent tightened the chicago screws all the way, so they arent really clamped down yet.

Personally I would use that metal part you have at the top as a handle and get a D or a triangle shaped piece for the top. I can see that lace causing problems over time.