Thread: Ranking of strop materials

Thanks for the clarification, Neil. I agree that the ballgame is different making strops, it's easy to be patient breaking in your own if you make it but not so easy as a newbie buyer looking for instant gratification.

I do keep cowhide in my shop for the same reasons you described, small blades, sharp corners on them, little metal particles unknowingly getting embedded, etc. It's nice to ruin cowhide rather than horse butt strips, and cowhide is definitely easier (for me at least) to work with in cutting out the odd strop that may be used for chisels or some shop knife.

As for the transgressions, nothing seems out of line to me! But I get the same reaction from my wife and have to remind her that sometimes I am holding a razor when she slams doors open or tests her vocal limits. Just don't use my line.."I don't see how you could possibly hassle me over this when I am only telling the truth". "this" could be anything, from MIL, to SIL to wife's friends. Always act surprised, though, as my dad taught me, at least you know what you're in trouble for if you don't try to fix any of your behavior (esp. when it doesn't need fixing).

I am glad to have missed the asian strops.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

like my neighbour unexpectedly knocking on my window while I was stropping or my wife yelling her lungs out at me when she has discovered some (real or imaginary) misdemeanour on my part without any attempt of forewarning me. Not BIG misdemeanours mind you: cigar ash, the unexplained absence of liquor bottles from their accustomed places and asking her mother where she has parked the broomstick all count for a stealth verbal assault.

Originally Posted by DaveW

But I get the same reaction from my wife and have to remind her that sometimes I am holding a razor when she slams doors open or tests her vocal limits. Just don't use my line.."I don't see how you could possibly hassle me over this when I am only telling the truth". "this" could be anything, from MIL, to SIL to wife's friends. Always act surprised, though, as my dad taught me, at least you know what you're in trouble for if you don't try to fix any of your behavior .

.

This sounds way to familiar to me as well........... that why ever since the incident, when i shave or strop in the bathroom the door is closed and locked and the fan is running on high to mute all the other noise and yelling.

Guys! Thanks for a very good thread! It is so nice to know that there are others that like a minimum draw on their strops.
For those that are interested a good read about tanning and finishing leather is the book

Leather Technicians Handbook by
J.H. Sharphouse

Leather Producers Association
9 St. Thomas Street
London SE1
1971

Very techie and covers many types of leather.

I got an answer from horween. they have a bunch of different sized shells, but they are somewhere around $80-$90 a square foot for shell cordovan except the biggest shells which are a little more. Their retail group (tannery row) will help with (pick) shells that are longer and more appropriate for strops.

I think I am going to try one of the smaller shells and see if I can get a couple of strops out of it, as well as get the kanayama.

Total piggishness.

Originally Posted by DaveW

I got an answer from horween. they have a bunch of different sized shells, but they are somewhere around $80-$90 a square foot for shell cordovan. Their retail group (tannery row) will help with (pick) shells that are longer and more appropriate for strops.

I think I am going to try one of the smaller shells and see if I can get a couple of strops out of it, as well as get the kanayama.

Total piggishness.

Let me know how you make out with the shells. I was tempted to buy one to buy one to make a couple strops and use the left overs for watch straps etc. I had assumed that the smaller shells would be shorter length and not useable length for a strop, but if they told you otherwise I'd be interested to hear.

I just got off of the phone with them, burgundy and some darker color yet are the colors that are available right now (the preferred colors for other stuff might be harder to get), I don't care if my strop is burgundy.

Takes a few weeks to get a shell, but once mine comes in, I will repost to this or make a new post. From talking to the guy at tannery row, they are not unfamiliar with what we want to make a strop, even on the retail side (where the pictures look more like wallets and stuff).

The longest #2 shells, which are 1.75 square feet, are about 25 inches long, so figure something a little under 25 inches for the longest strop you could get, and since they are sort of an oval shape, perhaps 2 of slightly shorter than that. We'll see. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Originally Posted by DaveW

I just got off of the phone with them, burgundy and some darker color yet are the colors that are available right now (the preferred colors for other stuff might be harder to get), I don't care if my strop is burgundy.

Takes a few weeks to get a shell, but once mine comes in, I will repost to this or make a new post. From talking to the guy at tannery row, they are not unfamiliar with what we want to make a strop, even on the retail side (where the pictures look more like wallets and stuff).

The longest #2 shells, which are 1.75 square feet, are about 25 inches long, so figure something a little under 25 inches for the longest strop you could get, and since they are sort of an oval shape, perhaps 2 of slightly shorter than that. We'll see. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I would certainly be interested in hearing more about this. I'd probably go for a piece if it were to yield 2 strops. I like my SRD Kangaroo strop alot. I'm also interested in getting a piece of natural linen to try as a fabric but I have no idea where to buy that stuff.