Stropp Leather

The prefered leather is split cowhide. It's rough on one side, smooth on the other. It's about 1/8" thick.
It is prefered because it has just the right amount of "give" when you press on it.
 
I am assuming that the side that is actualy used for stropping is the smooth side. Is this correct?

Thanks for the info
 
I am assuming that the side that is actualy used for stropping is the smooth side. Is this correct?
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You can use both sides. Some folks prefer the hard side with no compound, some prefer the rough side with compound. I personally use the rough side with white jeweler's rouge.
 
Thanks for the info I am going to find some leather and see how many knives I can make duller before I figure it out or until I decide which way i like it.

:D
 
I use the back side, soft, of an old belt and it works fine. Length about fifteen inches and width one inch.
 
Really good older strops were made out of Horse leather, specificly Horse Butt leather.

You can still find it, but it's not cheap or common and I guess not as socially acceptable as cow leather.

Check out old barber strops on ebay, most are horse leather.

Rob
 
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