tack shop

I was wanting to try a new strop...

there is a feed store close to me that sells tack and I was wondering if I could use their 2 in. latigo cinch straps as a strop ? it looks pretty much just like other 2" latigo strops I've seen. The leather looks really good with no bumps, imperfections, etc. The only thing missing is the linen of course....

they also have some wider cinch straps that are a different color leather (much lighter), but feel really nice... They are a light in color similar to some strops that I've seen that are said to be made of "steer hide"

there is also a saddle repair near here that the feed store referred me to. I haven't checked it out yet.

If I am going to pursue this avenue of what do I need to look for that will make a quality strop without spending $75 on a piece of leather that I could buy for $25 ? (I am a musician and a college student= no money).

I have had a local saddle maker construct 3 strops for me. One of red latigo and two others from a skirting leather. All with the same specs as other very expensive strops. They all work great and cost me a combined amount of $45

that is awesome !! looks like I'm headed to the saddle repair shop! DO you use "linen" I was instructed by my honemeister to use a linen before leather. If so, where did you get your linen ?

also can you give me some more info on the specs you gave the saddle maker so that I am fully prepared when I go there ?

I do have other strops that have a linen component, although I don't use linen that much. Mainly with pastes. You can find linen/cotton/wool webbing online or eBay if you would like to order it and have your local saddle shop incorporate that into the setup. I just took a picture of a strop to my saddle maker so he could see how it was constructed i.e. location of D-rings, rivets, fasteners, etc. and then just told him the dimensions that I wanted. I have two that are 3" wide and one that is 2.5" wide. All of them are 20" in length. He offered to oil them for me (except for the latigo which didn't need it) but I declined and have just worked them with neatsfoot oil myself. They perform wonderfully. He charges me $15 a piece for them. A smokin' deal compared to some of the others out there. Good luck with yours!

thanks man!! looking forward to my visit to the saddle shop

I've done the same thing, my every day strop is home made from saddle leather. $7 all told. I love it.

I also bought linen at the same store, they had about 8-10 feet of 4-inch wide linen in a couple little packages. I have no idea what it was for, or whether it's a common item at a tack shop, but it might be worth asking about when you go in there. Good luck!