Building an inexpensive paddle strop quickly
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Background
There are several styles of really beautiful paddle strops available at vendor sites, however they tend to be a little expensive. I wanted to experiment with several different stropping pastes, so I decided to make a set of my own paddles based on a very quick and easy design. Mine came out to less than $5 for six strops and I was able to build them in a day with just a few tools.
Building the strop
My version features a 16-inch long light, wooden paddle and a 1.5-inch by 11-inch leather stropping surface. The secret for making this easy to build is to find leather strips and wood paddle stock that is already at the proper width. Wood finish is an involved process so I chose to avoid it.
- Mounting the handle
This is what you get. It isn't fancy but it works so don't laugh.
Possible material for 1.5-inch wide wood paddle.
A look at the end grain. L to R is paint paddle, yard stick, poplar trim strip
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
Potential paddle slats
