Mineral tanned strop question

**Alum of Potash** · 08-01-2012, 04:39 PM

Just to say that I received my 5" x 36" piece of vegetable-tanned hide today. It's pretty much the ubiquitous, pinkish-peach colored cowhide that you find selling for woodworking tools and kitchen knives, and at 3/16", boy is it thick. I have cut it into two 2-1/2" strips and will cut the length down to something more usable, although I am partial to barber's ends. The surface itself has some light dirt and scuffing, and could probably benefit from an initial cleaning. So one thing I am thinking about here is the possibility of using colored shoe polish or some sort of leather dye to arrive at a desired color. Not sure about the necessity of sanding this one. The surface is smooth, rather than suede-like.

**paco664** · 08-01-2012, 04:55 PM

gonna soak it in leather conditioner?? to soften it up?? then hang it to dry?? and sand it smooth?? and wax it??

just curious...

**otto76** · 08-01-2012, 04:55 PM

Okay, cool. I will be interested to see how it turns out.

Just seeing what you see now, would you buy it again or look elsewhere?

**Alum of Potash** · 08-01-2012, 05:21 PM

I'd probably buy it again--it's just to play with. If I had to do it again, though, I'd probably order 1/8" thick. Just read an extract from an out-of-print book on leather-working (from the Amazon's "Look Inside") which talks about how chrome-tanning is good for certain goods like shoes, but is too stretchy for the craft projects in the book, which require the stiffer, vegetable-tanned leather.

**otto76** · 08-01-2012, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by paco664

gonna soak it in leather conditioner?? to soften it up?? then hang it to dry?? and sand it smooth?? and wax it??

just curious...

Leather conditioner? Is this different from strop dressing, strop conditioner, neatsfoot oil, etc?

Also, what is this waxing you speak of? I didn't wax mine, just worked the dressing in really good.

Man, maybe I should have read a book or something first! I figured it was pretty straightforward...buy the leather, smooth the leather to level desired, and then keep it supple with whatever you typically use for that.

Blowing my mind here!

**otto76** · 08-01-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Alum of Potash

I'd probably buy it again--it's just to play with. If I had to do it again, though, I'd probably order 1/8" thick. Just read an extract from an out-of-print book on leather-working (from the Amazon's "Look Inside") which talks about how chrome-tanning is good for certain goods like shoes, but is too stretchy for the craft projects in the book, which require the stiffer, vegetable-tanned leather.

Alrighty, might pick up a piece to mess with...obviously still have a little bit to learn before I'm a grand master or something.

Gah! Just remembered my mom's husband talking about how he used to tool leather and work with it quite a bit. Totally forgot about that! I should bug him a little about it.