Where to buy Stropping Leather?

FirstFreedom · December 30, 2007, 08:57 PM

Guys, I've never stropped. What kind of leather is needed? Anything special, or just any ol' leather? What shape? Buy one commercially or just find a piece of leather? What's the deal? I want to start getting that fine edge on my blades. Thanks.

**JohnKSa** · December 30, 2007, 10:33 PM

I just went to a local saddlemaker's shop and asked for some leather scrap. I use the smooth side for stropping.

skeeter1 · December 30, 2007, 10:50 PM

This is only a suggestion, since I have no experience using a strop (but my barber always used one).

http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...or_Strops.html

From England, and quite expensive, but I'm guessing a good leather strop would last you a lifetime.

The Canuck · January 1, 2008, 11:24 PM

Check http://www.kramerleather.com/ under knife sheaths.

Martyn4802 · January 2, 2008, 06:35 PM

An old leather belt will do just fine.
There is nothing magical about the leather used in strops. The only thing you do when you hone a blade on a strop is remove the fine burrs left from sharpening.
I use many different pieces of leather left over from making knife sheaths, left over leather from Brownell's Latigo slings, whatever is available. They all put an edge on a blade.
Also, there is no need for paying good money for strop dressing. Just use the leather as is, dry. I have used however, some rouge I bought from Garrett-Wade that seems to work. It has a fine abrasive in it. But, strop dressing without some fine abrasive in it hinders the ability of leather to do it's job in removing burrs. It's like a wax that allows the blade to slide over the leather without doing as much burr removal as the leather would without out it.

Martyn

December 30, 2007, 08:57 PM	#1
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Where to buy Stropping Leather? Guys, I've never stropped. What kind of leather is needed? Anything special, or just any ol' leather? What shape? Buy one commercially or just find a piece of leather? What's the deal? I want to start getting that fine edge on my blades. Thanks.

December 30, 2007, 10:33 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,975	I just went to a local saddlemaker's shop and asked for some leather scrap. I use the smooth side for stropping. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 1, 2008, 11:24 PM	#4
The Canuck Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2006 Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada Posts: 307	Check http://www.kramerleather.com/ under knife sheaths. __________________ "If you put one in the snot locker, it doesn't matter what calibre it is".

January 2, 2008, 06:35 PM	#5
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	An old leather belt will do just fine. There is nothing magical about the leather used in strops. The only thing you do when you hone a blade on a strop is remove the fine burrs left from sharpening. I use many different pieces of leather left over from making knife sheaths, left over leather from Brownell's Latigo slings, whatever is available. They all put an edge on a blade. Also, there is no need for paying good money for strop dressing. Just use the leather as is, dry. I have used however, some rouge I bought from Garrett-Wade that seems to work. It has a fine abrasive in it. But, strop dressing without some fine abrasive in it hinders the ability of leather to do it's job in removing burrs. It's like a wax that allows the blade to slide over the leather without doing as much burr removal as the leather would without out it. Martyn __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

December 30, 2007, 10:50 PM	#3
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	This is only a suggestion, since I have no experience using a strop (but my barber always used one). http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...or_Strops.html From England, and quite expensive, but I'm guessing a good leather strop would last you a lifetime.