Thread: Advice on making my own paddle strop

When i bought my current strop, i received a "practice" strop with it. I've been thinking that i would like to have a paddle strop for when i'm traveling or just don't have anything handy to anchor my normal strop to. Any advice? What type of wood? How to go about attaching the leather to the said wood?

Thanks,

Neal

Almost any wood will work, but I would avoid building lumber which arrives quite green still and will continue to warp as it cures also leaving chances for cracking. I would try to find a nice, very dry and acclimated piece of hardwood like walnut or oak. I would then ensure flatness with what toolsd you have available, I would use a CNC router, but you could use something as simple as a large piece of sandpaper on a flat surface. Then you could adhere the leather with contact cement spray, follow the directions to the 'T'. Don't forget to shape it as you wish and apply a finish of choice before you adhere the leather and mask the exposed wood before you apply the contact cement.

This is one I made myself a while ago. I like the T shaped handle, because it gives a lot of grip and control, but keeps the overall length to a minimum.

What you could make yourself is a paddle with metal strips on both sides (thin galvanized steel works really well.)

It will give you incredible versatility with the same paddle, and you can experiment with all types of surfaces to your heart's content.

You should be able to get A4 size magnetic sheets from a stationary shop, and use that as the backing for your leather, balsa wood, material, or whatever you want to use.

Here is a link to one I made a few weeks ago - Magnetic Table-top Strop with rubber feet, and 2 Hanging strops

This is what it looks like




And this is all the materials you'll need

holeHeartless,

+1 to the above advice.

The only thing is to make sure that the leather is flat, and remains so after a few months.

Would plywood be a better subtstrate for the leather ? (or aluminium/magnesium alloys !).

I have used paddle strops exclusively for all my stropping needs for the last ca two years; For me they just seem more natural to use than hangers

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Here's my paddle. A little large for travelling purposes, but you could definitely scale it down.

Check out the thread at:
A Great Looking Paddle (IMO)

Be sure to get the best leather if leather is the route you wish to take. As for the other side, there are too many good webbings, linens and canvases to name.

I used "Tandy" leather to do my paddles. There may be a store close to you. They sell strips of leather, 3"x50", which is perfect to do two double sided paddles.
They also have a scrap bin, and the guys by me were extremely helpful. They have every type of leather imaginable, Kangaroo, Gator, Cow, Horse, etc....
They also have an online store....

Once you have the leather cut and trimmed to your paddle, I'd recommend spray adhesive. That's what I used, and it seems to be holding up well. I sprayed both sides, wood, and the back of the leather. The only downside is, it dries quickly, so you have to act quickly....

I recently made my own paddle strop, bought 3' of 3"x1"red oak at home depot $3.90 shaped and sanded it down with some spare sand paper I had and stained it with some old stain I had lying around, went to walmart and bought canvas, felt, and 2" Velcro the fabrics added up to $4.15 while the velcro was buy far the most expensive at $18 bucks. I attached the hook side of the Velcro to the board which allows me to use the felt without any added backing. For the canvas and leather I attached the other side of the Velcro which allows me to use any combination of materials. I planned on cutting the strip down to around 20" but ended up leaving it full size as I don't plan on using it for travel and the added weight/size does not make it unwieldly.

Originally Posted by PhatMan

holeHeartless,

+1 to the above advice.

The only thing is to make sure that the leather is flat, and remains so after a few months.

Would plywood be a better subtstrate for the leather ? (or aluminium/magnesium alloys !).

I have used paddle strops exclusively for all my stropping needs for the last ca two years; For me they just seem more natural to use than hangers

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Plywood would be a good substrate (though not too exciting). It's specifically designed to be flat and dimensionally stable. In fact, I use special paper-faced form making plywood all by itself for stropping my knives. A little diamond spray and it's good to go. I prefer it to balsa.

Also, I use Barge cement for attaching my leather. It works very well.

Phillip