{"id":1444,"date":"2021-05-02T15:41:32","date_gmt":"2021-05-02T12:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=1444"},"modified":"2022-09-07T12:00:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T09:00:49","slug":"how-to-make-a-leather-sharpening-strop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/how-to-make-a-leather-sharpening-strop\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make A Leather Sharpening Strop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A leather strop is necessary for anyone working with woodworking tools to hone or sharpen their instruments making them razor sharp. While most people tend to find their leather strops purchased from stores, making your own leather strop can have a lot of advantages. In this article we will be going over everything that you need to know before making your own first leather strop, so, how do you create your own leather strop?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make you own leather strop you will need: a leather strip, a wood board, glue and honing compound. Start off my leveling the wood piece, then glue the leather strip to the wood, cut off any  excess leather, let the glue dry and then add honing compound to the leather. Compound paste should be applied from the middle or if using a stick just run it on the leather a few times from one side to the other to spread evenly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a sharpening leather strop is important when you want proper care for your tools. Using the leather will keep the edges sharper than ever while also making using them safer. Without further ado let\u2019s get into the steps to making your own leather strop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Materials to make a leather strop<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

-Wooden board<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The board should be cut in the size you want your sharpening strop to be. Most types of wood can be used depending on your need or what you have available at hand. MDF, plywood<\/a> is usually a safe choice to use for a strop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Leather strip<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A leather strip which covers the wooden board fully should be used. Leather which is untanned is recommended for the purpose of making a leather strop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Wood glue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any industrial strength or \u201csuper\u201d glue can be used however the best option is normal wood glue or an epoxy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Honing Compound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most times, to use a leather stop you will have to apply compound. The honing compound comes in a paste or you can buy the compound stick. Any of these can be used depending on your preference. We recommend the Honing Compound PA-70<\/a> for the paste and Fine Green Buffing Compound <\/a>for the stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step By Step Guide To Making a Leather Strop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now let’s get into a comprehensive guide to making a leather strop on your own:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cut the wood to the required length<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are using MDF or any other type of wood to make your leather strop, you need to cut it to your requirements. Ensure that the wood is level before moving to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRO TIP<\/strong>: you can use sanding paper to even out the edges on the wood to make it smoother and thus easier to hold and use.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

2. Check the leather size by securing it over the wood<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is an optional step but it will ensure that the leather is attached tightly to the wood thus ensuring its functionally effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Apply glue to the wood and stick the leather to the wood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once your wood piece is ready and level, apply glue to the wood (apply evenly to the whole wood taking extra care to cover the edges and middle properly) and set the leather piece to the wood by pressing firmly. You can lock it in a vise for a few hours to ensure it is glued properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Cut the excess leather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the glue has dried you can cut the excess leather from the sides to make the strop more visually appealing and functional. Use a sharp knife blade to make the cutting easier and accurate. Also, do check for any glue leak on the sides after cutting off the excess leather. If you see any, you can use a block plane or sandpaper to smooth it over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Apply mineral oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apply a decent amount of mineral oil to both the wood and the leather. Again this step is optional, however, the oil readies the leather and helps it combine with the compound to make it more effective. You can apply the oil by rubbing it on the whole leather and wood surface. Afterward, dry it with a clean cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Add honing compound<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now you can apply the honing compound to the leather. If using a paste, apply it to the center of the leather strop and then rub it via a flat metal tool to apply evenly on the whole leather. If you are using a compound stick apply it by running the compound from top to bottom a few times so that the application is even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a demonstration of the steps involved in making a leather strop watch the video below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RqYYF1tL-jk<\/a>