Thread: Strop Leather

I do agree with that Tony, you'd think they were trying to fit them to a mouse hole, they roll them so tightly sometimes. It is a bit too much to ask that they flat pack a hide for shipping though. No one would pay the shipping costs if they did that. They should be told to loose roll them flesh side in though, with a wrapping around the roll to protect from dirt and scuffing. It would save a lot of anguish.


Mick

For those that come after us...

I don't have a Tandy within a day's drive. But, I do have a boot store downtown that does full blown leather repairs as well as selling boots and leather products. I was in a talked to Bob and he's ordering me in some latigo 2" strap that I intend to make a strop out of. If you don't have a Tandy near by, finding another type of leather worker could be your ticket to success w/o having to order online.

Also, my father in law just sent me some scraps he picked up at Hobby Lobby of all places. They're pretty nice, but will need to be cut down and given the once over with a pumice stone. We'll see how they turn out.

Peace,

The leather must be soft, supple and without flaws, no scars, blemishes etc, smooth is the key word.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

The leather must be soft, supple and without flaws, no scars, blemishes etc, smooth is the key word.

Rumor is that the best once covered fine Kansas City
dry aged corn finished steaks.

Sorry, I didn't read all the replys, so excuse if this has been covered. I made a few paddles, some with the help of other members. I'm not much of a woodworker.
I bought leather from Tandy, and it worked out great. I used the 3"x50" cowhide belt material. It was perfect and enough to do 2 double sided paddles. If you have one near you, you can pick out the piece of leather you want. They also have a nice scrap bin they'll let you rumage through. I found them to be very helpful. I used spray adhesive to adhere the leather, and a screwdriver at a 45 degree angle to smooth the edges once it was applied to the wood.
Feel free to shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

P.S. Tandy also sells leather online.....http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/h.../4523-190.aspx

The link above is what I used....

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Rumor is that the best once covered fine Kansas City
dry aged corn finished steaks.

Its no rumor, its quite true!

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Rumor is that the best once covered fine Kansas City
dry aged corn finished steaks.

Happy Cows live in California. KC Stockyards were the biggest in the world at one time. This is still big cattle country here in the midwest. I have a buddy that raises big French Charolais cattle, but they can be boney. Now ranchers are experimenting with the Wagyu strains. I have no idea what their hide is like but if you massage them every day and feed them Hopps they sure taste good.
Mike

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Its no rumor, its quite true!

Nun2sharp made the last paddle on the right, The English Bridle...Gotta give credit when credits due...
Thanks Kelly...

A few months ago I purchased from Straigt Razor Designs an English Bridle Leather Strop along with a Wool Felt strop to use with Diamond and Cr Oxide. This is without a doubt the finest strop I have used and yes guys I have been straight razors shaving almost 30 years and I know how to Strop. My Wife's Dad is a barber and taught me to strop my razor but I have nicked my strop a few times but I just repair with with a lapping stone and dab on a little neatsfoot. I absolutely reccomend the Elglish Bridle Leather and just used my palms to rub and condition an dit keeps getting better.

Has anybody have any experience with a material so called "hard rolled" leather as a stropping material? I had a hanging strop made of this "hard rolled" cowhide. I have used it only a couple of times only but I didn't find any negative effects on the edges yet. It is very firm and rigid, almost like a piece of thin wood. It has a veery light draw. I read somewhere that the surface of this type of leather is much much smoother than the "normal" leather, so it is nice to use it as a strop. Does anybody know for sure that this hard leather has any negative effects on the edge? The razors make a kind of a singing metal sound when I strop, as if it was a leather hone.

I presume all leather will become softer when used, so I asked the craftsman about how much this particular leather will "break in" with daily usage. The man took a smallish, casual backpack from one shelf and told me to touch it. The backpack was made of thick leather and it felt almost the same as the "hard rolled" leather. He then told me to touch his own backpack - basically a clone of the other one -, which he's been using for quite a while. And that was totally soft and flexible. So probably my strop will also be somewhat softer - but not too much I guess. Is it too bad if I don't treat it with any oil?