What leather to use?

[jamesbeat]

I want to make my own strop. Not for economical reasons, I'm just one of those people who likes to make things.

I have the design and the hardware parts decided already, but I'm relatively new to this straight razor business, so I don't know what leathers have the right qualities to make a good strop.

I have read that latigo leather is good, but it doesn't seem to be widely available in the UK, or if it is it might have a different name.

So what do I get? Do I want a smooth leather with the least grain possible? Do I want full or corrected grain? Vegetable tanned? Thickness?
I want to walk into a leather supply store and sound like I know what I'm talking about

I see a lot of people have asked this same question, would it be worth trying to get definitive answers from the experts and making a sticky?

 

[neocaligatio]

Not sure if this helps, but I found this whilst looking for leather to do likewise:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/p-71143-cowhide-strip-3in-x-50in.aspx

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/p-81678-stirrup-leather-3in-x-66in.aspx




Chris

 

[Thebigspendur]

I don't think the type of leather or the tanning process is that critical. Its about the quality of the particular piece of leather. You want something thats really really smooth with no mars or imperfections or wrinkles or fat lines. You want something of the right thickness and for a hanging strop something that has some flex to it. For a paddle strop that's less important.

 

[jamesbeat]

Oh ok, so it's not as critical as I thought then.

Does the grain matter?
For instance, split leather has an artificial grain applied to it, so effectively you'd be stropping on a polymer surface rather than leather.
Does this matter, or would I be better off using full grain, or at least good quality corrected grain leather?

 

[jamesbeat]

Not sure if this helps, but I found this whilst looking for leather to do likewise:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/p-71143-cowhide-strip-3in-x-50in.aspx

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/p-81678-stirrup-leather-3in-x-66in.aspx




Chris

That looks ideal doesn't it?
There's enough length in the one in your first link to make two 25" strops, PM me if you fancy going halves.

 

[neocaligatio]

I certainly thought so!

I don't think I'll be doing it any time soon though - I'm still in the process of trying to get the vintage razor I acquired in a decent condition!

Chris

 

[scottish steve]

What you guys think of literally dowling a hole in one end of that leather to stick it on a hook and using it by just holding the end in your hand?

 

[colin39]

im not sure i could buy a strop from da ba fer a tenner,an as a bigginers strop i think i would work well
jury is still out as i like the idea of making my own strop
it makes it kinda personal



wow i just found alll these smilies

 

[mdunn]

What you guys think of literally dowling a hole in one end of that leather to stick it on a hook and using it by just holding the end in your hand?

I think the strop would cup if you did that. Depends on the leather I guess though.

 

[scottish steve]

Ah, you might be right. Didnt think of that. At least with my belt I've got a buckle over the hook.

 

[cityjim]

I want to make my own strop. Not for economical reasons, I'm just one of those people who likes to make things.

I have the design and the hardware parts decided already, but I'm relatively new to this straight razor business, so I don't know what leathers have the right qualities to make a good strop.

I have read that latigo leather is good, but it doesn't seem to be widely available in the UK, or if it is it might have a different name.

So what do I get? Do I want a smooth leather with the least grain possible? Do I want full or corrected grain? Vegetable tanned? Thickness?
I want to walk into a leather supply store and sound like I know what I'm talking about

I see a lot of people have asked this same question, would it be worth trying to get definitive answers from the experts and making a sticky?

Get a weight lifting belt and some baseball glove oil . All for $14.95 .

Even better was grandpa's old worn out deer skin mounted to a truck leaf spring . His blade was so sharp that you didn't even want to be around him . Not to mention the blade he was holding . That straight was wicked sharp .


cityjim