Where to buy tooling leather?

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thomashenry

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Oxford, UK
Last week I bought a load of veg tanned tooling leather on ebay, in order to make a bunch of strops to give as Xmas presents. Looks like it's not going to arrive in time though :evil:

Any ideas where I can buy some tooling leather in person? I'm based in Oxford....
 
I'd still be curious to know if there are any decent leather shops around, if anybody has recommendations...
I used to use JT Batchelor, but I lived in London and didn't have a car then (they have no parking), so it was worth the trip each time.
 
I've got a strop made from "Horse Butt", which is super hard and thick and the traditional favourite,
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If you're sharpening a cut throat razor then maybe it's worthwhile tracking down some fancy leather. But for woodworking tools I honestly can't see any difference between this and the bit of MDF I used to use with a wipe of stropping compound rubbed on it!
 

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Take note of what Custard says. The saddler I got my nice thick strop leather from, only had shiny faced thick stuff but you can rough it up with a wire brush.
 
I got a couple of bits a while ago for next to nothing from a local shoe repairer. Only the size of a gents shoe but thick and sturdy enough for strops.
 
custard":165cchqg said:
But for woodworking tools I honestly can't see any difference between this and the bit of MDF I used to use with a wipe of stropping compound rubbed on it!
Apocryphal, I'm sure, but I've read a few times that leather is preferred as it has a bit of give - This allows it to curve nicely around a tool with a small bevel, chamfer, etc...?
 
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