Thread: 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

3-4mm will be fine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Have you seen this pictorial?

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

I hope this has been of some help!

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

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