Making a Strop

[Curse]

So I've actually been using one of my leather belts for stropping, and it has worked great, but I know my blades could be a bit sharper

What I want to do is make a strop like in this video. I have no trouble getting the wood part etc, but what I'm wondering is where I should get the leather and what I should look for?

Additionally, any techniques I need to keep in mind beyond "Glue it to wood all around, put a staple at the ends to secure it" ?

 

[Bastid]

I am going to move this to Maint and Tinkering, but before that here is what I have done and I like the results.

1. Glue it down.
2. Tandy Leather at least 1/8" thick and none of that recomposition leather. Go for some quality here, you will be able to feel and see the difference.

(I used an old wide belt that I quit wearing a while back.)

 

[Curse]

I am going to move this to Maint and Tinkering, but before that here is what I have done and I like the results.

1. Glue it down.
2. Tandy Leather at least 1/8" thick and none of that recomposition leather. Go for some quality here, you will be able to feel and see the difference.

(I used an old wide belt that I quit wearing a while back.)

Awesome, thanks for the tips! I'll have to find a leather dealer locally or something here..

Any other suggestions?

 

[Mtn Hawk]

I bought a piece of vegetable tanned leather here:
http://www.springfieldleather.com/

3/8" X 3" X 82" for $26 + shipping. I have never bought strop leather before so can't compare the price with any other company, but it seems like a good deal for the number of strops I can get out of it, and their customer service and shipping time was very good.

I just lay strops on a table so can't help with the securing part. It's easier to store without the wood backing and sometimes I toss it in my pack, so don't want any extra weight and bulk I don't need.

Bastid, thanks for the info about strop thickness. I've always wondered about that.