Thread: Neat Inexpensive Felt strop

Hey, I made a neat little inexpensive felt strop, and I thought I'd just share how I did it.
I went to Hobby Lobby a while back and bought a piece of balsa wood to make some pasted balsa strops. I got a piece that was 3/8" x 3" x 36" (about $4). I cut it into 3 pieces, and used two for the balsa strops. I had one left over and it was just sitting in the drawer.
I was at Walmart this weekend going through the craft aisle. They have pieces of felt that are 12" x 9" (and about 3/32" thick) for $.37, so I picked up a few, along with some Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue (about $2). I coated one side of the balsa in the glue in a even layer with a rubber glove, stuck the felt to it un put a heavy book on it and let it dry overnight. In the morning I cut the felt to the wood, and presto, a balsa felt strop. When it was all said and done, I spent about $4 on it.
I used it this morning, and it seemed to work great!

Good idea! I don't know about you, but it makes me feel great when I can do something myself that is creative, useful, and CHEAP to boot!

I do not think the felt at the hobby store is the same type of felt.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I do not think the felt at the hobby store is the same type of felt.

not having a "real" felt strop, I can't say whether it is or not, as I have nothing to compare it to. I would think thought, that in theory (and I could be HUGELY mistaken here) it wouldnt matter. The purpose of the felt (from what I understand) is that the fibers snag any of the little "teeth" on the razors edge that are bent, and realign them, making the stropping on yout leather strop easier (on the stop on the stop that is... i.e. no miscroscopic teeth scraping across the surface), and producing a smoother, keener edge. I dont see why the type of felt would matter, as long as it is flat (why I glued it to a board).
There is someone on SRP that is stropping with a ShamWOW. This cant be any worse.

My understanding is that just about any tightly woven fabric will work.