2" Beech Tallow Tan & Latigo Paddle Strop

Beech Paddle Strop, European Tallow Tan Leather and Mexican Hard Latigo Leather

An good quality strop made from a base of solid hardwood - English beech.  There are two leather stropping panels.  The black panel is made from the finest quality hard mexican latigo leather.  It is a waxed and oiled leather similar to the more familiar soft latigo but with far less oil and wax, making it a little less resistant to stropping than the softvariety.  It still has a good draw and brings out the edge of the blade very well. The other panel is made from a fine european tallow-tanned leather, which is similar to horse hide but with more draw and feedback.  It is intended as the finishing side, the latigo being the first side used and the tallow tan further refining the edge.  Neither panel needs dressing with oil or conditioning paste.  Both panels are about 13" long by at least 1.75 inches wide.

The overall length of the paddle including the handle is about 18.5" (varies slightly - each item is hand-made and is a one-off), by about 2" wide. 

The sold beechwood frame is about 1/4 of an inch thick, giving a good solid support.  It is lightly sanded and treated with Renaissance Wax to make it moisture-proof and to add a subtle sheen that enhances the grain.  The handle is cut to the style of a favourite Victorian paddle strop I own.

Because leather is a natural item and also due to the hand-made construction there are some small marks, cutting variatons and natural faint lines/grain, but these will not affect it's ability in the slightest to produce a keen edge on a razor - I use prototypes of all the strops I make, and can tell what is an acceptable marking and what will impede the quality of the leather and affect its performance - I only sell the best quality selected leather - the rest is discarded.

Paddle Strop Pros:

• Easier for the novice to use - no need to worry about keeping it taut!
• Lighter and more compact than a loom or a hanging strop, so good for travelling with.
• Ideal for pastes because it does not sag - sagging contributes to edge rounding.