What Thickness of Leather For a Strop

Stark Knives

Stark Knives

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Mar 19, 2010
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What thickness of leather would you guys recommend for a strop? I was going to get the leather from Hobby Lobby, I just wanted to make sure that it is thick enough. It is 1/16" I think.

Erd
 
anything that can hold a compound... that should be fine, but it seems to me like most are 1/8" thick (which can also allow the leather to wrap around the edge, so you have to be careful). after all, a lot of people prefer balsa wood for a strop, so I don't think thickness matters too much. Hope this helps!
 
The 1/16" leather will be fine. I also have a couple pieces like that, also from Hobby Lobby. My preference is almost always 'thinner is better' anyway. The thinner stuff will be a bit firmer on a hard backing, which helps minimize rounding off the edge, but still will be somewhat forgiving. Initially, I was inclined to look for thicker leather (1/8" or better). And it is possible to find thicker stuff that's also very firm (some saddle-grade leather is like that). Choose firmness over thickness, if nothing else.
 
Old denim or canvas works just fine too. Just mount to some scrap wood and go. If you prefer leather, make sure it's vegetable tanned, or you can have problems with corrosion on steel.
 
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