Help making a strop.

[Colog]

I have several old belts just hanging around in my closet. Thick heavy leather colored black. Can they be used to make a strop? If so, how would i go about doing it?

 

[flatgrinder]

You could use the inside of the belt, duct tape the ends to a piece of wood (used as backing) and rub chromium oxide on the belt. Works for me.

 

[Gossman Knives]

That's what I use, an old belt. I strop on the smooth side. I clamp one end of the belt to my bench, rub in 600 grit compund, pull the belt out fairly tight, strop like the barbers used to do with their straight razors.
Scott

 

[Tommegow]

I tapered (like a pyramid with the top cut off)a 2" X 4" X 14" to match the belt width, then epoxied a belt(backside up) to the top of the tapered board. I can sit and strop away watching TV or talking to guests.

 

[DGG]

If there is a saddle shop or tack shop around or even a decent shoe store ask them for a piece of scrap "split" leather (and bring them a box of donuts later if they give it to you).

I got some, cut it in strips, and stretched it out for a week by hanging it with one end in my bench vise and with a couple of big visegrips on the other end. Then I glued each strip to each side of a strong wooden paint stirrer (if all you can find are the flimsy paint stirrers then glue two of them together to make a strong one). I put the smoothest side of the split leather on one side of the paint stirrer, and the roughest side on the other. I use it with a little chromium oxide rubbed in. I'm sure it doesn't work as nicely as the one shown in this link, but it works pretty good and I couldn't beat the cost (a dozen donuts).

http://www.drsharpening.com/leatherhone.html

I like what the strop/hone does when sharpening a knife.

 

[NR House]

check ebay I paid 5 dollars for one and it was russian made.....a very good strop

 

[Colog]

Thanks for the replies, you've all been a great help.