Mk3. The travel strop.

[Legion]

Yes, the mark 3 kangaroo leather paddle strop ended up being a travel paddle.

This is definitely a one off, though. Trust me to choose an Australian hardwood which is like iron and nearly impossible to carve and then decide it needs a complicated handle hand carved onto it.

What a PITA it was to make. But I went down to the hardware shop today and they had a really nice looking pre-made handle which I will use if I make another one. They were out of stock but hopefully they will get some more and I will make one up to show.

Anyway, if I do make any more I have decided that this is the size they are going to be. It is about 30cm over all and has a stropping area of 24 x 6.3cm. It is 1.2cm thick + the little rubber feet. I went to all the trouble of making the T shaped handle because that gave the most grip and control with the least amount of added length. The pre-made handle I like was T shaped as well. It actually works really well and does not take up much room in the suitcase. The picture includes the shorty straight I made which will be its travel companion.

When I get time I will sew some sort of case for it, maybe with a pocket on the front for the razor? If anyone is wondering what to buy me for Christmas, I really need a leather sewing machine.

 

[natchez]

What a lovely paddle strop. Really nice workmanship.

 

[kg4ghn]

That's a good looking strop! I like the straight too.

 

[Brownbear]

Great looking paddle? What did you use "Tasmanian Oak", mountain "ash", something even harder? I love eucalyptus, yes a PITA to work and tough on tools, but so pretty.

I'm going to make some mounted balsa strops with good old, local and soft red cedar. No challenge there but it will be quick and easy. Yellow cedar would be a trifle more hard wearing but the contrast between balsa and red cedar should be pretty. I may have to work up a leather paddle strop as well, that looks very useful.

Wish I had brought back some red gum to play with, I'd love to see what a set of razor scales out of red gum would look like. I have a couple little red gum cheese spreading knives that are just lovely. Small pieces seem quite stable and the reddish patina is warm and inviting.

 

[dakotaev]

Thats wonderful, are you selling/sold any of the previous ones?

 

[mdunn]

Cool handle design mate!

 

[Legion]

Great looking paddle? What did you use "Tasmanian Oak", mountain "ash", something even harder? I love eucalyptus, yes a PITA to work and tough on tools, but so pretty.

I'm going to make some mounted balsa strops with good old, local and soft red cedar. No challenge there but it will be quick and easy. Yellow cedar would be a trifle more hard wearing but the contrast between balsa and red cedar should be pretty. I may have to work up a leather paddle strop as well, that looks very useful.

Wish I had brought back some red gum to play with, I'd love to see what a set of razor scales out of red gum would look like. I have a couple little red gum cheese spreading knives that are just lovely. Small pieces seem quite stable and the reddish patina is warm and inviting.

To tell you the truth I cant remember exactly what wood it was. I remember it was an Australian hardwood but when I went back to the hardware shop on the weekend to check everything has been moved around and they don't have it anymore.

Cedar will be nice but remember to wear a respirator when you are working on it. That stuff is nasty on the lungs.

 

[Legion]

Thats wonderful, are you selling/sold any of the previous ones?

I'm still in the testing and trial stages at the moment but yeah, there may be some stuff up for grabs soon.... stay tuned...

I really need to learn how to put multiple quotes into the one post. Anyone?

 

[natchez]

I'm still in the testing and trial stages at the moment but yeah, there may be some stuff up for grabs soon.... stay tuned...

I really need to learn how to put multiple quotes into the one post. Anyone?

Just hit the multiquote button on the bottom in the middle under the posts you want to quote and they will all come up.

 

[Legion]

Just hit the multiquote button on the bottom in the middle under the posts you want to quote and they will all come up.

Either that multiquote button wasn't there before or I am the most unobservant guy in the world. You pick.

Thanks mate.

 

[superbleu]

Thats wonderful, are you selling/sold any of the previous ones?

I'm still in the testing and trial stages at the moment but yeah, there may be some stuff up for grabs soon.... stay tuned...

Awesome, where do I sign up to get on the wait list?
You did a great job, it really turned out nicely!