Help Making Gift Strops

[Radical]

I will make several knife bench strops for gifts, but am struggling with a few design considerations. I probably shouldn't agonize over such a simple tool, but I want a strop that will work for a variety of people. I have a large piece of Hermann Oak leather 7/8 0z, a horse butt leather, Hand American green compound, contact cement, 1/4" sheet rubber for no-skid feet and baltic birch plywood in 1/2" and 3/4" on hand.

1) What strop dimensions would appeal to most and why? Mine is a simple 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 8", but sometimes I wonder if a wider or longer strop would be helpful.

2) I see many strops that are double-sided (even 4-sided). Are my concerns about compound cross-contamination unwarranted? I'd like vegetable tanned leather loaded with green compound on one side and plain horse butt on the other, or black one side and green the other if contamination is no big deal.

3) Would most folks prefer a handle on the strop for comfortable hand or lap stropping, or would a simple rectangle be more practical?

Thanks in advance for your assistance, and forgive me if these questions have already been addressed here - I have read through a ton here and still have these nagging questions.

 

[stitchawl]

I will make several knife bench strops for gifts, but am struggling with a few design considerations. I probably shouldn't agonize over such a simple tool, but I want a strop that will work for a variety of people. I have a large piece of Hermann Oak leather 7/8 0z, a horse butt leather, Hand American green compound, contact cement, 1/4" sheet rubber for no-skid feet and baltic birch plywood in 1/2" and 3/4" on hand.

1) What strop dimensions would appeal to most and why? Mine is a simple 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 8", but sometimes I wonder if a wider or longer strop would be helpful.

When I make my own bench strops, I like them to be 3"x10" for pocket knives, and 4"x12" for fixed blades and straight razors. I make my Hanging strops 4" wide, and between 18"-22" long.

2) I see many strops that are double-sided (even 4-sided). Are my concerns about compound cross-contamination unwarranted?

NO!!!!! Cross-contamination may be the single biggest cause of mistakes for people who use double-sided strops. Just set the strop down ONCE then set it down on the other side, and you have completely destroyed all of the smaller grit size advantage. ALL of it. If you get just a couple of particles of larger grit mixed into the smaller, you've pretty much eliminated the possibility of getting a better edge. (This assumes that one cares enough to get that better edge...) Friends don't let their friends cross-contaminate.

I'd like vegetable tanned leather loaded with green compound on one side and plain horse butt on the other, or black one side and green the other if contamination is no big deal.

Great idea for the strops, but please... Keep them separated. One bench strop for compound, and a second strop bare, especially if it's horsehide!

3) Would most folks prefer a handle on the strop for comfortable hand or lap stropping, or would a simple rectangle be more practical?

Probably personal preference here. I don't like handles on bench strops. They can either sit on the table top or my leg, or I hold the bottom in my hand. I put handles on all my hanging strops though. They are necessary there.

Good luck with your project. Your friends are lucky to have you on their side!


Stitchawl

 

[Radical]

Thanks, stitchawl. You confirmed my fear of cross-contamination. I'll make the gifts 3"x10" (and both sizes for me in loaded cowhide and bare horsehide).