Where to buy tooling leather?

[thomashenry]

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....

 

[thomashenry]

It literally just got delivered as soon as I'd posted the message !

 

[Tasky]

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.

 

[bourbon]

As re-enactors, we go to The original re-enactors market. (TORM) they usually have a couple of guys selling leather of all grades. Two a year, next one is in march https://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/

 

[pollys13]

Saddler no use?

 

[custard]

I've got a strop made from "Horse Butt", which is super hard and thick and the traditional favourite,

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!

 

[mumble]

Tandy leather in Manchester may be worth a look.

 

[pollys13]

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.

 

[Lons]

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.

 

[Tasky]

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...?