Stropping Leather
Bob Hutchins in central Texas
>Howdy Folks!
This past weekend was bright and crisp (for Texas this time of year) so's we went to the Canton First Monday Trading days. 'Mongst other sundry items, I picked up a leather scrap that I take to be tanned and scraped cowhide. It's about a thin eighth of an inch thick, slick on one side and rough on the other. It is a medium brown color but I don't know if it has been dyed. The piece is approximately 18x8 inches.
I've never used a strop on cutting tools and wondered if I could make one from this piece of leather. I thought that I'd cut a strip about 3" wide and a foot or so long and maybe glue it to a piece of MDF. If I did, which side should be up -- rough or smooth? Does this sound like the right approach? If not, what is? Should it be charged with a honing compound? If so, what do you recommend?
FWIW, I saw a Stanley 55 and what looked to be a complete set of cutters in pretty good shape. Not being in the market, I didn't price it; but if anyone is interested in checking it out at next month's First Monday, it was at the place where the fellow makes handmade brooms. I'm thinkin' by his and the missus' clothing that he's Amish or Mennonite.
TIA
BobH