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Handmade Tension-Style Straight Razor Strop — Horsehide & Black Walnut — Shop Second / Imperfect
Offered here is a hand-built tension-style straight razor strop from Ye’Ole Straight-n-Strop Shop. This is not a restoration of an existing strop. The strop was newly constructed using quality new materials while incorporating the time tested design used by most major manufacturers from the past.
The main block/frame is constructed from locally sourced Black Walnut. The primary stropping surface is horsehide leather, while the opposite side incorporates a suede working section made from Crazy Horse leather, also commonly known as pull-up leather. This provides two distinctly different leather surfaces within the same tension-strop design.
The Black Walnut frame and the hand shaped Brazilian hardwood handle have both been finished with Japanese cashew lacquer, providing protection while bringing out the natural color and grain of the two woods. A brass eyelet has been installed where the handle passes through the leather to reinforce the opening and provide a clean finished detail.
At the opposite end, the leather is anchored to the wooden frame using bronze tacks, retaining the traditional mechanical construction and appearance appropriate to this style of strop.
SHOP SECOND / IMPERFECT — DISCOUNTED
This particular strop is being offered as a Shop Second at a discounted price due strictly to cosmetic workmanship imperfections.
During construction, I was not completely satisfied with the appearance of the bronze tack setting or the seam where the two ends of the leather meet. Neither issue prevents the strop from performing its intended function, but cosmetically, this area does not meet the standard I normally require of myself, and for it being a full-price piece leaving my shop.
Rather than attempting to hide those imperfections, they are being specifically disclosed and reflected in the price. This makes the strop a good opportunity for someone more concerned with the quality of the working surfaces and materials than with cosmetic perfection.
The combination of horsehide, Crazy Horse pull-up leather, locally sourced Black Walnut, Brazilian hardwood, Japanese cashew lacquer, brass and bronze hardware makes this considerably different from a mass-produced tension strop.
I do have to mention that I did source the all-thread shaft from an old damaged strop I had on hand.
I was being inpatient and didn’t want to wait till I located a new section or even threading a rod in house.
It was much easier to use the one I had at that moment, and say that it has the spirit of the original strops made in the past. lol.
The handle I turned from a solid piece of Brazilian Hard Wood, and mimicked a few different factory handles from other strops to achieve the final shape and size.
I needed it to be of a certain size and weight to create a partnership between the weight of the block- frame, and the leverage caused but the total length.
I made sure there was plenty of room for the leather to stretch, ( another reason why i’m not overly concerned about the tack placement and seem where the two ends meet.
Eventually, the tax will need to be pulled in the leather reset.
Depending on amount of use and technique being moderate, I am confident that it will be quite some time before the tension can no longer be achieved through the mechanism, and the leather will need to be reset at that time a second chance to achieve a cleaner setting will be available.
Due to this piece being a YEOSS product, it comes with certain perks, including a FREE resetting of the leather, or replacement of the leather. This Perk is only available to the purchaser, and is limited to A RESETTING OR A REPLACEMENT ON ONE OCCASION. IT IS NOT FOR BOTH OPTIONS 1 TIME EACH.
SHIPPING TO THE SHOP IS PAYED BY THE OWNER, and THE SHOP WILL COVER THE RETURN SHIPPING.
IN THE EVENT THAT A REPLACEMENT IS REQUESTED, there may be a request to present evidence of leather replacement being required. I ask for Honor System to be implemented.
IF LEATHER IS BEING REPLACED , THERE MAY ALSO BE VARIOUS OPTIONS OF LEATHER TYPE & TONE/COLOR AVAILABLE.
Specifications: Handmade tension-style straight razor strop; locally sourced Black Walnut frame; smooth horsehide primary stropping leather; Crazy Horse/pull-up leather suede section; hand made Brazilian hardwood handle and metal tension plate ; Japanese cashew-lacquer finish on frame and handle; brass handle eyelet; bronze retaining tacks; Shop Second / Imperfect designation due to cosmetic tack-setting and seam workmanship.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as the photographs are considered part of the description. The cosmetic imperfections responsible for the Shop Second designation are intentionally disclosed rather than concealed.
Built by Ye’Ole Straight-n-Strop Shop — Kokomo, Indiana.
Restoring the edge of history since 2016.
Thank you and God bless.
