[Tony Miller]

Just a heads up for those awaiting release of my horsehide strops. On Tuesday I'll have both 2 1/2" and 3" Artisan Horsehide strops with handles. The 3" will have genuine linen, the 2 1'2" models will have a new, hard texture, very smooth weave cotton/canvas, quite unlike the coarse stuff I have used before. These will all be strops with handles. I'll do up a few with latigo on the back, in place of cloth.

All of these will have my new "Hand Finished" surface. Each is buffed (pumiced) to raise a napp which greatly increases draw for those who felt the ones we did before were only suited for finishing after using a regular, latigo strop. I can also do them with the full grain, smooth surface if desired but feel this is a better finish for all around use.

I will also have a new "Original" strop, this is Latigo and Horsehide with no cloth and each component will have the integral, contoured handles like my Apprentice strops. The lkack of extra hardware and parts will keep the costs down a bit on these.

Apprentice (Starters) and 4 sided paddles are being worked on now for release mid-next week as well.

I will be closed on Monday, May 12th for Whit Monday, the day after the Feast of the Pentacost. My Amish woodworkers take this day as a holiday and do not do business so I will be closed as well in respect of them.

Thanks,
Tony

[KenS]

I think we all agree that your strops are great Tony, and the new ones with handles look great. Now I'd like to mention that guy's with arthritis (me) like to have the old configuration of handle and D ring. Some mornings it's possible to slip a finger into the D ring while holding the handle, whereas without the D ring I wouldn't be able to use the strop as easily due to a diminished grip.
Any other guy's with arthritis in their hands who use the strop in this manner?
Best regards, Ken.

[fryguy]

Arthritis was the determining factor for me to go with the rings. Glad I did. Much easier to work with.

[Tony Miller]

I started doing rings again on all my Latigo Artisans after several fellows mentioned the issues they have. I've got carpal tunnel in my right hand and fo me some days rings feel better, other handles.

The current batches, a dozen and half of each are with handles but I could switch to rings if needed on these. For future runs I can leave the bottoms unfinished so I can switch at time of order. I just wanted to reduce the amount of options I needed to have hanging on the wall at any given time and since handles outsell Dees about 4 to one I went with handles on the current batch.

I appreciate the feedback on what you guys need. I cannot al;ways promise I can offer it but at least I can try and accomodate you.

Thanks,
Tony

[Tony Miller]

KenS,
Not sure I understand just what you mean with handles AND Dees.

On my Artisans I use either a handle attached via a rectangular metal ring or a Dee ring alone. One the handle version one can just get a finger tip into the rectangle ring to aid one's grip. This version is normal and will not change.

My Originals are a more simple design using my same quality leather. They will have a handle only design with the handle, clicker cut right out of the strop body. This reduces time in manufacture and in extra handles, caps, rings and screws so greatly reduces costs.

I might try experimenting with putting the handle on a Dee to allow more grip options but it didn't hang quite the way I liked and it is rather expensive to redesign the handle shape now.

There does not seem to be a larger rectangle available that looks good. I've got one now. a harness square, that allows for a nice grip but just look way to heavy and really detracts from the design.

Tony

[DaveF]

Thanks for the updates, Mr. Miller. I've been checking your site every day for the last two weeks checking on the availability of your apprentice strops...I'm so glad to hear my wait is almost over!

[SteveS]

I like the idea of "hand-finished" horsehide. Any chance you'd do a 2.5" with all the hardware (like below), but with latigo in place of linen?

[KenS]

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

KenS,
Not sure I understand just what you mean with handles AND Dees.

On my Artisans I use either a handle attached via a rectangular metal ring or a Dee ring alone. One the handle version one can just get a finger tip into the rectangle ring to aid one's grip. This version is normal and will not change.

My Originals are a more simple design using my same quality leather. They will have a handle only design with the handle, clicker cut right out of the strop body. This reduces time in manufacture and in extra handles, caps, rings and screws so greatly reduces costs.

I might try experimenting with putting the handle on a Dee to allow more grip options but it didn't hang quite the way I liked and it is rather expensive to redesign the handle shape now.

There does not seem to be a larger rectangle available that looks good. I've got one now. a harness square, that allows for a nice grip but just look way to heavy and really detracts from the design.

Tony

Tony,
I may be complicating the issue with my poor descriptions. What I have is the 3" Heirloom #1 Latigo (I think :-) It is made up with a Handle made up of a folded piece of leather about 4" long going through the bottom D Ring.
I like it quite well.
Thanks, Ken.

[Tony Miller]

KenS,
Now I understand....you own one of my oldies! These did have a simple strap loped through the Dee. I will give the Dee and contoured handles a go again just to see if I can make it work and provide a better grip for those who need it.

SteveS,
Yes, both the 2 1/2" and 3" Artisans will have a Horsehide/Latigo version too, not just the more simply Originals. I had thought about using the full grain horsehide on these too as it would provide a smoother, finishing surface after starting on the Latigo.

Anyway, basic versions will be on the shelf Tuesday. if I have the options ready (Dee Rings or choice of un-buffed) that may add a few days to my shipping as those will be assembled from components at order instead of ready to go from finished stock.


Thanks,
Tony