I just finished making this baby earlier today.
She strops like a princess and the edge she produces is magical.
I appreciate any suggestions / comments / improvements.
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I just finished making this baby earlier today.
She strops like a princess and the edge she produces is magical.
I appreciate any suggestions / comments / improvements.
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Attachment 69214
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wow, that is classy! I like the fine cotton, i notice the cloth gets kinda rough with some strops, even higher end ones. Does that soft, thin suede bow in the middle? That would be my only concern.
Looks very nicely done! I love the feel of suede strops, especially with a nice thin leather. Personally I like a longer strop and would trade width for length, but it can be hard to source good leather like that.
Beautiful strop, really. It's always satisfying to use something you've made yourself, too!
Ah...So that's the strop I've been hearing about...Nice work Burt....As far as improvements...I think it would work better in the U.S., right here in Flordia....Ha....
Seriously..Good Job....I've made a couple of paddles, nothing fancy, plain old cowhide leather from Tandy, but as Ben said, Nothing is more satisfying than using something you made yourself....much like a blade you've honed yourself....
I agree, that's a nice strop, but I'm thinking the humidity of Hong Kong and Jacksonville would kill it. As an alternate view I suggest the high desert air of central Washington.
I think this leather is actually Nubuck, not plain thin suede. Just read the definitions on-line, and this is full-grain leather, so it fits into the Nubuck category better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dann
I was a little worried about that myself when I thought of trying out a suede, but the piece I used is actually almost 1/8" thick. Much more supple than other strops, and ever so slightly more stretch in it, but the blade glides over it so easily that I find I use hardly any pressure, but get nice feedback on it.
I'm also fallen in love with stropping on Nubuck/suede after a previous suede strop that I made. Also works brilliant on a paddle, impregnated with CrO2. I suppose I had enough leather to make it a fair bit longer, but the length I decided on just barely clears my bathroom countertop when it hangs from a towel hook...I know, that's not supposed to be the deciding factor! LOL.Quote:
Originally Posted by BKratchmer
I used a Dovo 3" XL strop for a long time, and this 18" of strop surface gives me a bit more length than that one. Just enough length to strop at high speed for my "muscle memory", being used to the dovo length. I might make a longer one next time 'round if I can get more of this mighty fine leather.
One thing I realised, after making a previous Nubuck strop, is that you really can't treat it with neatsfoot oil....I treated my other nubuck strop with it, and it is now a real pain to strop with. The blade just grabs, and it is a struggle to strop after treating with neatsfoot. This one I am only going to treat by rubbing with my hand, and maybe use suede/nubuck leather treatment on it when it really needs it.
Yep, this one is similar to the one you've heard of Rich. Same type of leather as that previous suede/nubuck one that I ruined with neatsfoot oil!Quote:
Originally Posted by zib
It is definitely more satisfying getting excellent results from something you've made yourself, I have to agree! Especially because the edges this thing creates is incredible. It must be the fine velvety nubuck surface that does the magic.
:dropjaw: I guess I will have to keep this one locked up in the safe so it doesn't get lost, and strolls over the Pacific to the USA!Quote:
Originally Posted by deighaingeal
Who knows, maybe I can get hold of a few skins of this groovy leather, and make some more of them for you guys.
So next time I'll come to Hong Kong you'll get to take me to your leather supplier!
Absolutely!Quote:
Originally Posted by wukong
That's a very classy looking strop.
Nice....Quote:
Originally Posted by leadingedge
Way back I once read that it was an obligation
to make three prototypes for any project.
You keep one, Lynn gets one and
the monthly give away gets the third. :)
Or just keep us up to date with regular reports
on how it works for you over time. I will
be looking forward to an update in two
or three months.
I am a big fan of home made strops.
Each one I make teaches me things and
makes me appreciate the ones pros make
more and more.
Hmmm... I have another project in mind...
Way to go Burt!!!! Great job! Do you hold both cotton and Nubuck together when you strop? I do with my dual setup.
Thanks Vern,Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibbs
No I actually let the one hang below when I use the other strop. I've always used my dual strops like that. Do you find that you have better handling of the strop, or technique when you hold onto both strops at the same time? If so, I might just give it a try.
I've done it both ways, but when I hold them together, tight, I like the feeling of the thickness and support. The leather gives the wool felt more support and vice-a-versa. Felt better. LOL
Sounds like it's worth a try. Having the leather as a "backing" for my cotton weave might make it feel a little more like a bench strop, so I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tips on how you do it, it's always interesting to hear how others do things, and often there are better ways of "skinning a cat" than what we realise!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibbs
Thanks Vern.
I have been thinking about making a back-up strop, but am not sure what kind of cotton to use. Any help would be appreciated.
I know I'm still new here, but is it normal to drool over that even at this early stage of the game?
I get mine from a wholesale material supplier here in Hong Kong where I live. It is a high quality 3 inch wide cotton weave that works really well for stropping.Quote:
Originally Posted by irish19
Try your local material shop, maybe you get lucky!
I will look. Thanks for the info.
