Thread: Made a strop

Gentlemen

Ive been toying with the idea of making a strop for quite a while and finally made one a few weeks ago.

First I purchased some Horween Chromexel.

From Horween website:

"Chromexcel is the original pull-up leather; using time honored techniques and formulas that were developed nearly 100 years ago. Chromexcel is still produced in the United States using a bark retannage from a proprietary recipe, and then genuine hot stuffed with our secret blend of natural oils and greases. Chromexcel is characterized by a rich pull-up in full aniline, hand rubbed finishes. Made to this day with old world craftsmanship, modern Chromexcel carries on a long history of superior comfort and durability."

What this means to us is that its a full grain leather that is hot stuffed, chrome tanned then full vegetable retanned with a waxy feel to it. Looking at the leather you can see how oily it is but funny enough the draw feels dry to me and not oily at all???

I cut the strop and hanging tab (Horween Derby) with a utility knife. I brought a cheap leather multi tool to add some detail to the edge then lightly sanded the edge with 600 grit w/d and burnished it too.
I fitted the hardware with binding screws buy drilling 6mm holes.
All in all it took me about half an hour. Job done!

I really enjoyed making this strop and can see me making more. I would like to find some flax linen or cotton for the next one but haven't anything suitable.

Adding detail

Hardwear

Simple strop with barber end

Congrats! It has to be very satisfying to make something with your own hands.

Nice. i have some strop making on my long range projects and goals. It is nice to see fine projects to draw inspiration from.

Thanks chaps.

Im no Neil Miller but the strop performs admirably.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Thanks chaps.

Im no Neil Miller but the strop performs admirably.

Neil had to start somewhere, Mark! We all benefit from his teachings still.
The guy never really advertised and told all he knew freely.
One thing stuck in my head about the quality of his work...

He personally traveled down to the hide-seller and nitpicked, bitched, and moaned until he got things such as he desired. Hard to do!

Great work. Betcha it strops awesome!
Neil referred to that feature as a 'pinstripe'. Great feature on a hanging strop, IMO.
Well-Done!

Very nice. Job well done. I've wanted to do this too but haven't gotten around to it.

Great job on the strop! That's a handsome looking piece and is bound to serve you well. A lot of satisfaction in making and using your own strop.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Neil had to start somewhere, Mark! We all benefit from his teachings still.
The guy never really advertised and told all he knew freely.

He personally traveled down to the hide-seller and nitpicked, bitched, and moaned until he got things such as he desired.

Cheers mate, that made me chuckle.

I miss Neil.

Very nice and simple.
Looks similar to bridle, so what is the draw similar to, in your opinion

Originally Posted by outback

Very nice and simple.
Looks similar to bridle, so what is the draw similar to, in your opinion

The draw feels to me like bridal but it is much more pliable and supple. Ive read that the draw with cxl is heavy but it just didnt feel heavy to me. When you rub your hand over it you can see how oily it is but the draw is dry. Strange.