Small strop

[rayban]

I whipped this one up in about 10 minutes this morning using a scrap of leather and Osage Orange.
It measures 4 x 1-1/2....works great on smaller blades up to about 4".
Taking a tip from someone on another forum, I sanded the leather to a nice velvetty surface prior to loading the compound. Then heated it a little by holding a lighter under it......the compound then seems to melt into the leather a little.
Works great.

 

[zyhano]

great work, great pics.
I have some small strops too and like them. while a large strop gives you more surface area and gives you longer strokes, a small strop makes it easy to just have it lying around somewhere and pick it up. great for tv work

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

:thumbup:

This is very similar to the strops I've made for myself. They're sized so that I can 'freehand' strop (about 5-1/2" x 2-1/2", on 1/2" thick oak), holding the block in my left hand while stropping the blade with my right. They're even just big enough to handle my kitchen knives too.

I also have discovered the benefits of sanding the leather just a little bit, to give it that nice 'nap'. It holds the compound very nicely this way. After using it for a while, the green strop has become a bit 'shiny' and VERY GRIPPY on the knife edge, and this is working out very well. I think it's actually improved in performance with use. I also use the sanded leather on my bare strop for finishing up. Been very pleased with both of 'em.

Dave

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

great work, great pics.
I have some small strops too and like them. while a large strop gives you more surface area and gives you longer strokes, a small strop makes it easy to just have it lying around somewhere and pick it up. great for tv work

Exactly. I do this almost every evening after dinner, while watching TV and sipping a little wine. Very relaxing.

 

[KarlMaldensNose]

What type and grit of sandpaper are you guys using to smooth and level out the leather on strops? I have some leather that needs resurfacing.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

What type and grit of sandpaper are you guys using to smooth and level out the leather on strops? I have some leather that needs resurfacing.

I've used something in the medium grit ballpark (like 220 or so), give or take. I wrap it on a block of 1" x 2" wood, sand lightly. It'll produce a 'velvety' nap on the smooth surface of the leather. If you rub your fingertip across it, it'll alternately make light/dark streaks across the surface (depending on direction), kind of like the 'tracks' left on carpet after vacuuming, or on the lawn after mowing. I like to use a circular/eliptical motion for sanding, although on leather, that probably doesn't matter too much, so long as your pressure is light & even across the surface.

The leather 'dust' left after the sanding is easily cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner. Some folks have expressed concern about the sandpaper's grit particles embedding in the leather, which could scratch a polished edge, but I've not seen any issue with this. The leather's very soft, and doesn't seem to 'scrub' much or any grit from the paper, so far as I can see (and my edges are polished).

Good luck.

Dave