I'm currently having a conversation with a woodworker about strops for razor usage. I know that many of you aren't giant fans of paddle strops, except for use with paste, but I've found it slightly difficult to use hanging strops because I don't want to put a hole in my walls. I think I would prefer a paddle.
The gentleman I'm speaking with makes tools for woodworking and strops for such tools. Thus, his strops are normally made with the suede side out. I know little about leather, and I'm on unfamiliar territory communicating. As best as I can tell, a full grain vegetable tanned hard leather(such as cow, horse, or kangaroo) with the skin side out is the ideal kind of leather for a strop. So tell me, what is it about certain leathers that makes them preform better than others in a strop?
As a side note, is fine grained suede type leather from a split hide acceptable for using as a substitute for pasted balsa? I've enjoyed talking with this artisan, I'd like to purchase something. I currently find that I'm using pasted balsa frequently and I'd like something a bit more sturdy. Perhaps I could just buy a regular tool strop and apply paste to it.
The gentleman I'm speaking with makes tools for woodworking and strops for such tools. Thus, his strops are normally made with the suede side out. I know little about leather, and I'm on unfamiliar territory communicating. As best as I can tell, a full grain vegetable tanned hard leather(such as cow, horse, or kangaroo) with the skin side out is the ideal kind of leather for a strop. So tell me, what is it about certain leathers that makes them preform better than others in a strop?
As a side note, is fine grained suede type leather from a split hide acceptable for using as a substitute for pasted balsa? I've enjoyed talking with this artisan, I'd like to purchase something. I currently find that I'm using pasted balsa frequently and I'd like something a bit more sturdy. Perhaps I could just buy a regular tool strop and apply paste to it.