DIY paddle strop

[Jeltz]

I have been tinkering, again.

I've obtained some leather and it was cupping a bit. I applied neetsfoot oil to the back and its not cupping as much but I came to the conclusion that a paddle strop would be better than a hanging in the circumstances. On the face of the leather I applied dubbin to try and give it a waxy draw but it doesn't seem to have made much difference.

I laid the leather on the board held it and stropped a razor and it worked well, so now its glued and clamped while it dries. The wood has had 1 coat of Danish oil and I shall apply another 2-3 coats to the back,ides and handle. I was given the wood ages ago and I'm not sure what it is, any ideas what it may be? Its too lightweight for oak or walnut but a nice close grain like walnut whatever it is it looks great.

The leather panel measures 2.5" X 24.5" (unmeasured I estimated about 2ft and was pretty accurate) hopefully nothing will go wrong with the glue up and, allowing for the extra coats of oil, I'll be able to use it on Thursday.

[ScottGoodman]

Looks like it should work just fine. When I made mine, I placed another board over the leather and then lightly clamped it all together with a lot of clamps to have a nice and even pressure on the leather so that it will be smooth.

[Jeltz]

I'm using the exact same method!

[Mastershake]

Your picture isn't showing up, I'm pretty sure I can ID the wood if I saw it.

[Jeltz]

It shows up OK for me, but a link is http://i51.tinypic.com/2sb8ugh.jpg I posted on another forum too and the consensus is that its ash.

Unfortunately the leather must have moved by about a degree when I clamped it up so its not aesthetically perfect but will still work. The next one will be shorter and I'll make a clamping jig to keep everything square while it dries.

[zib]

Here are some home made paddles. I got my leather at Tandy. The dark leather is English Bridle from SRD and was made completely by a member here Thanks Kelly. The remains of a destroyed strop. The paddle without leather is a work in progress. I was still shaping the handle when this pic was taken. The wood for the two lighter paddes, (Cowhide) were made by Deighaingeal.

[kaivorth]

Love paddles. Can be used anywhere.

[96firephoenix]

are there any advantages to a paddle-strop over a hanging strop? aside from the rigidity?

edit: rigidity is actually a really big advantage.

[ScottGoodman]

If you properly use a hanging strop, then no, there are no advantages to either way of stropping...it's leather. About the only advantage using a paddle strop is that it is just one less way to mess up stropping, I.E. sagging strop.

[zib]

It's personal preference really. I like paddles for pastes. I haven't decided what I'm doing with the one's pictured above. One will probably get treated with Cerium Oxide...