How to: Easily make a pasted balsa strop

backpackerx · 08-04-2008, 03:24 AM

Just finished making a homemade balsa strop and thought I'd post here since it's so easy. I did this because I'm a newbie who has blown the budget for a while and can't buy one and also because it's so dead easy that even I, who have zero craftsman abilities, could do. Hopefully I can figure out how to get the pictures to post on here.

This literally requires 6 things. A porch or stair spindle from Home Depot ($2), a piece of Balsa from a craft store ($3), something to make one small 2" straight cut, a utility knife, glue, and some sand paper. I saw the spindle at Home Depot and noticed that if cut in half it would make a great base for the paddle and had a nice looking handle built right in! I simply cut the spindle in half, cut some balsa to fit the end, glued it on and sanded it to lap it flat. Cost about $5 and took about 10 minutes. See results below. The last picture is what the spindle looks like together.

clrobert60 · 08-04-2008, 12:50 PM

Brilliant - someone buy that man a Guinness!

backpackerx · 08-04-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clrobert60

Brilliant - someone buy that man a Guinness!

Yeah, what he said

lol. I can't take all the credit though. I was actually looking for a picket fence slat as was suggested by Max-S over at B&B and they didn't have one so I kept looking and almost missed this idea until I visualized the spindle cut in half and viola, a nice looking paddle strop for someone who couldn't cut two straight lines.

freebird · 08-04-2008, 04:05 PM

very nice, can't wait to see the finished product!

backpackerx · 08-04-2008, 04:16 PM

It pretty much looks the same finished since the diamond paste is so light. Obviously a Chrome Ox paddle would be green on top. I may eventually stain it to make it look nicer but for now it's finished in my book and was used last night to put a good edge on a razor.

gssixgun · 08-04-2008, 06:04 PM

I love it!!!!!
Now that was using the ole Noggin there

rodd · 08-04-2008, 09:16 PM

Thanks for this, I think I am going to have to give it a go!

backpackerx · 08-04-2008, 09:37 PM

Rodd, good to see you over here as well. I'm splitting my time between B&B for DE shaving and here for straights! Pretty new to straights and here though.

hi_bud_gl · 08-05-2008, 03:09 AM

great one only 1 suggestion.don't you think it is a little heavy?if you can make thinner base it should be great AND MAKE 1 FOR ME.

backpackerx · 08-05-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

if you can make thinner base it should be great AND MAKE 1 FOR ME.

It would cost more to ship it than it's worth! Since I made two out of the materials they are more like $4 each. Seriously, if you have a hand or circular saw and a Home Depot you can make this by cutting the spindle off at the "handle" with one straight cut.

The weight is actually not too bad. The wood (pine?) is fairly light and I never just hold it up, usually you rest the end of a paddle strop on the edge of a table or something so I'm not really holding up the weight of it anyway. Here's it's twin brother I finished tonight with Cr3O2.

backpackerx · 08-08-2008, 11:20 PM

After a few days of testing I've used these on 4 razors now and have gotten great results so it appears these definitely work as a cheap or temporary solution.

Utopian · 08-09-2008, 03:44 AM

Hey, if it works, there's no reason for it to be temporary. Nice job!

FatboySlim · 08-13-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backpackerx

Yeah, what he said

lol. I can't take all the credit though. I was actually looking for a picket fence slat as was suggested by Max-S over at B&B and they didn't have one so I kept looking and almost missed this idea until I visualized the spindle cut in half and viola, a nice looking paddle strop for someone who couldn't cut two straight lines.

I think this is brilliant, too. I'm brand new (this is my first post here), and was planning on making my own paddle strop out of scrap wood and glued balsa. Thank you for your elegant, cheap, and simple idea!

I went out today and picked up the materials at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby. I bought two spindles ($2.35 each) and two 36" x 2" x 1/4" balsa slats ($3.00 each), total cost less than $11. The spindles that my Home Depot stocks look flatter (the square portion is 2" x 1"), perfect for a 2-sided paddle strop. I have some of Chrisl's Chromium Oxide powder on the way to start with.

So that's four 2-sided paddle strops for about $2.75 each. Plenty for me to learn on with different pastes, even if I screw them up. Cheap fun!

backpackerx · 08-13-2008, 02:12 AM

Nice! Just remember to flatten the balsa after the glue had dried on the paddle. You can do that with sandpaper and something perfectly flat like a piece of glass or similar.

kevint · 08-13-2008, 04:19 AM

Sorry to butt in, I've been meaning to ask. Is that pressure treated material? looks a little greenish in some pictures.

Personally I wouldn't want to be handling that stuff everyday, hopefully yours isn't.

I believe in another section of the store they have other pieces, table legs, balustrades made from safer materials

Photoguy67 · 08-13-2008, 05:21 AM

ok I have to ask, why do you need balsa? couldn't you just glue some leather to the wood and lap it flat? Sorry if thats stupid, but I don't know these things yet.
Thanks
Photoguy67

backpackerx · 08-13-2008, 02:11 PM

Not sure about the pressure treating. It is a tad green but not like other pressure treated wood I've seen. Wasn't aware that pressure treating was dangerous so I'll have to look into it. As far as using balsa, it's easier to find that good smooth leather, cheaper, easier to cut and work with, and from what I've read it works better with pastes than leather so that's why I chose to do it but I'm sure a good smooth piece of leather would look really nice on something similar.

joke1176 · 08-14-2008, 02:08 AM

Kind of off topic here, but: I am using a home made paddle with basswood instead of balsa, if you want an idea for further experimentation. Especially since it seems you have a few more sides left open on those strops!

I actually like it better than balsa, it's a bit (but not too much) harder and doesn't convex the edge as much over time. Anyhoo, just an idea if you are feelin experimental.

TstebinsB · 08-14-2008, 05:43 AM

Very nicely done! I really like the the fact it has a handle.

Utopian · 08-16-2008, 11:27 PM

Older pressure treated wood had arsenic and a few other toxins in it. The stuff made in the last few years is not supposed to be toxic but I wouldn't hold my breath, or maybe I should!

If you are concerned, coat it with a non-toxic paint or other sealer and then you should be fine. I still think it's a great simple idea for those with limited tool supplies.