making your own strop

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08-09-2013, 11:55 AM
RafalS

making your own strop

hi guys, I know there is a lot of the threats about making your own strops, but I didn't find the answer I was looking for. I don't have a big budget thus I cant buy really expensive leather, as well as where I live I cant find any leather suppliers where I can go and hand pick leather. I have found an ebay seller with a lot of leather (they even make there own strops) but just wanted to check with more experienced guys from here would this type of leather be suitable.

24"x 6" ANTIQUE BROWN OILED VEG TAN LEATHER 3mm THICK SHEATH ect | eBay

that' are just 2 examples, it looks quite smooth to me just like a strop leather should. Is 3-4 mm to thick for a strop? All advice would be appreciated.
Rafal
08-09-2013, 01:48 PM
pixelfixed

3-4mm will be fine.
08-09-2013, 03:28 PM
Euclid440

The links go to ebay not to a particular vendor. As Pix says any clean blemish free leather will work. Just be aware once you purchase hardware and leather you may spend more that purchasing a ready made strop.
08-09-2013, 04:57 PM
MisterMoo

If I didn't already have a factory full of sewing machines, rings, snaps, clips, polyester, nylon and leather (or if I was trying to save a buck and not order a finished strop) I'd stop by a few furniture or auto upholstery shops and scarf up some free top-grain trim. Jus' sayin'. Most of the bigger ones have a dumpster full of free strops waiting-to-be out back. Then slice and rivet or sew on a ring or two from the hardware store.
08-09-2013, 05:32 PM
Razorfeld

Good idea MisterMoo. At least its one step up from dumpster diving (great when in college a long time ago to furnish an apt). Off to Google my area for aforementioned various upholstery shops. Thanks again.
08-09-2013, 05:40 PM
MisterMoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Good idea MisterMoo. At least its one step up from dumpster diving (great when in college a long time ago to furnish an apt). Off to Google my area for aforementioned various upholstery shops. Thanks again.

Many upholstery operations are family run. They don't air-condition a lot of the time and leave the back door(s) open for ventilation. Some shoot first and ask questions later. Best to knock on the front door and ask, maybe.
08-09-2013, 07:22 PM
RafalS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Euclid440

The links go to ebay not to a particular vendor. As Pix says any clean blemish free leather will work. Just be aware once you purchase hardware and leather you may spend more that purchasing a ready made strop.

fixed it. well if this is good leather that's sets be back £20 I would not make anything fancy just simple d rings at the ends, and there in enough leather to make 2 3" wide strops.
Rafal
08-11-2013, 05:53 AM
cudarunner

Another source for you could be a cobbler or saddle maker.

Have you seen this pictorial? :shrug:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...-pictures.html

I hope this has been of some help!
08-12-2013, 03:07 AM
Adam G.

i bought a 66 inch length of 3 inch wide stirrup leather from Tandy Leather last week. Made 6 paddle strops with it. Once it's sanded down to 2K grit and a little neatsfoot oil added it has a real nice action. Other side of the strops is CrOx pasted balsa.
Leather cost about $70 Australian.
Adam
08-12-2013, 10:43 AM
RafalS

well I talked to the merchant from ebay and she reassured me the leather doesn't have any marks or scars so I have placed an order, they will even cut the strips for me free of charge. I ve ordered 2 3x24" just need to get some d rings and Chicago screws now and I can start making the strop. All of your ideas about the saddle making shops and tandy leather were good but in UK there is only one tandy leather quite far away from where I live and it's relatively expensive and I could not find any saddle maker anywhere near me to.
Rafal
08-15-2013, 10:50 AM
RafalS

so guys today I've received the leather first think I realised that It wasn't cut to size but i'm not that bothered. The other think Is the leather feels quite plastic to touch on the smooth side, its like it has a thick layer of wax on top so I've cut tiny bit of the end and started to sand it down I used w&d 1200 grit. it just took seconds to take of the coating and leather feels much better now. If you would be able to compare strop leather to something what would you compare it to in terms of touch. Another thing is that leather is little bit stiff is that going to be a problem ?
Rafal
08-30-2013, 08:09 PM
RafalS

3 Attachment(s)

Attachment 139242 Attachment 139243 Attachment 139244so I have finished the strop couple of days ago just didn't have time to put it on the website. So first of all I had to sand the leather up used 400grit 3m wet&dry, didn't want to use any of them cheap ones to prevent particles sticking into leather. I didn't have any neatsfoot oil and didn't really want to order a 500ml bottle just to treat strop and I heard you really don't need a lot, so I have used a little of baby oil and worked just fine. my first strop was just an cheap ebay one so when I used my made strop I was surprised how good of a shave a had. strop have a little draw to it which is nice to. I have a quite bit of leather let so I might make a handle to kind of srd style. hope you enjoy pics guys.
Rafal
09-01-2013, 02:20 PM
bryanjenkins80

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafalS

Attachment 139242 Attachment 139243 Attachment 139244so I have finished the strop couple of days ago just didn't have time to put it on the website. So first of all I had to sand the leather up used 400grit 3m wet&dry, didn't want to use any of them cheap ones to prevent particles sticking into leather. I didn't have any neatsfoot oil and didn't really want to order a 500ml bottle just to treat strop and I heard you really don't need a lot, so I have used a little of baby oil and worked just fine. my first strop was just an cheap ebay one so when I used my made strop I was surprised how good of a shave a had. strop have a little draw to it which is nice to. I have a quite bit of leather let so I might make a handle to kind of srd style. hope you enjoy pics guys.
Rafal

Looks like it turned out pretty good. Glad to hear you're enjoying it.
09-01-2013, 03:43 PM
Laurens

It looks very nice! I want to have a go at making a strop myself as well, just need to find pins and hooks, I can buy the leather a few blocks away.
09-01-2013, 09:46 PM
RafalS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurens

It looks very nice! I want to have a go at making a strop myself as well, just need to find pins and hooks, I can buy the leather a few blocks away.

can send you link too seller that offer 2inch swivel hooks for good price just like to one I have on my strop, he sell square loops and d rings too if I recall correctly, and good luck with your project if you decide to go through with it
Rafal
09-02-2013, 07:30 AM
Laurens

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafalS

can send you link too seller that offer 2inch swivel hooks for good price just like to one I have on my strop, he sell square loops and d rings too if I recall correctly, and good luck with your project if you decide to go through with it
Rafal

I would like that, thank you! I may be able to find it locally, but have not searched for it, yet.
09-02-2013, 10:06 AM
RafalS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurens

I would like that, thank you! I may be able to find it locally, but have not searched for it, yet.

here you go my friend.
eBay My World - allen-equestrian

Rafal
09-02-2013, 10:16 AM
Laurens

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafalS

here you go my friend.
eBay My World - allen-equestrian

Rafal

Thanks! I like how many of the items used by us razor people often originate in a completely other branche. This seller lists his good as intended for horses and dogs.