Making A Strop

[Anacott Steel]

Hey guys - im looking at make a strop - leather glued to a wooden board. I've researched here and in other places and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer as to which side of the leather should be facing up (ie the side that you will use). Any definitive opinions out there ? I plan to use jeweler's rouge on the strop.

as always - appreciate any help.

cheers

[HellfireJack]

People use both sides depending on personal preference. The flesh side generally more abrasive.

[Anacott Steel]

1334989035[/url]' post='244594']

People use both sides depending on personal preference. The flesh side generally more abrasive.

Thanks Hellfire. In that case ll make it half flesh and half hair side up and see how I go.

Cheers

Don

[wareagle]

Thanks Hellfire. In that case ll make it half flesh and half hair side up and see how I go.

Cheers

Don

I use both, flesh side for stone mark removal, hair side for final polish.

[pete]

Hey guys - im looking at make a strop - leather glued to a wooden board. I've researched here and in other places and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer as to which side of the leather should be facing up (ie the side that you will use). Any definitive opinions out there ? I plan to use jeweler's rouge on the strop.

as always - appreciate any help.

cheers

blue horseshoe loves the grain--------

pete

(LOVE your name!)

[Anacott Steel]

I use both, flesh side for stone mark removal, hair side for final polish.

Cheers Wareagle - many thanks.

blue horseshoe loves the grain--------

pete

(LOVE your name!)

Pete thanks for the inside info - lets just keep the SEC out of this.....

[Rawhide]

I use neither. Why? Because the leather will give and eventually round the corners of your blade. Use something hard and flat. I use the wood board, and glue a strip of manilla folder to it and rub in my polishing compound to that. Keeps corners nice and sharp!

Marlon

[Northmount]

A piece of MDF works well too. All one piece, don't need to mount anything else to it.

CTG

[Spinner]

I use neither. Why? Because the leather will give and eventually round the corners of your blade. Use something hard and flat. I use the wood board, and glue a strip of manilla folder to it and rub in my polishing compound to that. Keeps corners nice and sharp!

Marlon

Same here, only I use card stock (I have easy access to it) for the same reasons. I started out with a leather one and once I was told to try this I found the heel and edges of the blade came out much truer than using leather.

[pabloz]

Leather on wood. 3-4-5 oz. leather with the grain side up is what I prefer..... for now. Been using the same strop for about 37 years. Made tons of em and experimented with all kinds of compounds and sprays and always come back to leather and Cr2O3. If you want a firmer, more rigid leather, melt some paraffin into it then put your compound over that.

Now, that being said, there is one of our members going OCD on strops, strop theory, fabrication techniques, backings, finishing, etc., and I'm expecting when he has time he will post some results of his exhaustive work. Based on his results I may change my mind on what to try next...if anything. I'll leave him unnamed, but I think most know who it is.

PZ