strop

[ohiocarver]

what kind of leather do i need to use to make a new strop if any body can tell my old strop has waves in it from being used alot

[Rezbar]

I read in this Forum from those more expert than I that suede should be the best leather to make a strop. Dino

[Just Carving]

I'm guessign the strop has seen more than it's fair share of work. If the strop is bumpy and worn, toss it. But if it's bunched up because the adhesive loosened up, then you might try to peel it off and reglue it on the board. Otherwise, toss it. Suede leather is good. Using the rough side of a piece of leather is all you need to do. Just glue and clamp it--smooth side down--to a firm board so it's flat with no bumps or bubbles, and let dry. Then rub on some honing compound and you're good to go.

Bob L

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by ohiocarver

what kind of leather do i need to use to make a new strop if any body can tell my old strop has waves in it from being used alot

I made one from an old belt that I used to hold my britches up....works just as good as suede.

[BobT]

Hobby Lobby, if you have one close by, sells a piece of leather, I guess it is suede, that is big enough it will probably last for many years and make several strops. I think it was 4 or 5 dollars. Don't discount cardboard, the type you find on the back of a writing pad. If you watch the Everitt Ellenwood sharpening video you will see that it is very effective. Anything flat that will carry the strop compound works well.

[TreeWizard]

I've made several, at least 8, out of a pair of leather arm guards that welders use. I bought them at Harbor Fright for about $8 and I still have enough leather left to make at least 8 more.

[Dicky]

One member of this forum did a rehab job on a strop using sandpaper.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I use this, Tandy Leather Factory - Natural Cowhide Leather Strips

Dave

[Tom-H]

Hobby Lobby has bags of leather for about $6. There are various pieces, just check to be sure some are long enough. !0 to 14 inches....I like to glue a kinda thin piece to a board. Then take one of those pounce wheels on a handle and run all over the surface of the leather. The pounce wheel puts little perforations in the leather. Then I add my pulverized compound, and "burnish" it in with a round screwdriver shank. Now I'm ready to strop.

Tom H

[BobT]

The pounce wheel sounds like a great idea.