Thread: Makeing my first strop. Help Please.

I'm going to the the tandy leather store this weeknd and was wondering....What type of leather I should get for a slow draw hanging strop? Any help would be awsome. Thanks

I go to tandy once in a while, they have a scrap bin full of perfect strop leather for cheap! I only buy from the bin when theres some nice latigo, but it should be full of "tooling" leather, look for a piece without imperfections and buy it.
Once you make one strop, you wont stop until you have reacher perfection so no sense in spending big $$ off thr hop.
Jmho
Eric.

I have made a few strops from leather I picked up at our local Tandy affiliate. Because it's an affiliate and not a Tandy store, I don't know if these results will be consistent with what you might find with leather from a Tandy store, but here they are FWIW.

Buffalo: has a heavier draw than vegetable tanned cowhide

Veg tanned cowhide has a heavier draw than my Tony Miller Latigo.

Good luck in your hunt, and have fun making it. Be careful: epd is right - it can become a bit addictive.

Thanks for the info. Iam looking to make one but if its as inexpensive as I hear I might end up with two!

The latigo I bought from Tandy to make my strop out of isnt slow drawing at all. As said, vegetable tanned "tooling" leather will have a much slower draw than latigo. However, if you dont mind not having a slow draw you can get a good thick piece of latigo and the buckles to make the strop for right around $20 I think. I get a discount from them so Im not sure on actual retail pricing but it shouldnt be too far off that.

I don't know Tandy or what it stocks. However, as a general piece of advice you want a nice clean bit of leather with a smooth surface and no stretch. Length and width is a personal choice, but 20 inches or so long by 2-3 inches wide seems to be the most common dimensions.

Draw is basically a subjective thing on strops. Personally I like to feel some draw when I strop - it makes me feel like something is going on. However, I have had fairly slick strops in the past that do the job, so take that as you will. If you feel you want some draw, listen to the advice the guys have given above about which leathers impart what draw and remember there are always ways to increase draw down the track if you so desire.

Good luck.

James.