The 3” Blondie Strop is cut from a formidable slab of 9 oz steerhide, the edges are beveled and the sides are burnished. The vegetable dyed/tanned leather is thick but supple, offering great feedback and a quick break-in period also.
The working surface is smooth and fast. One might say it’s slick, but not quite as speedy as Horween Cordovan. The top of the hide is polished, but not to a high gloss; the draw is comfortable, with good feedback that’s a bit softer than the hard-rolled horsehide delivers.
Admittedly, the Blondie is a bit of a beast, but it’s not unwieldy or difficult to manage. It has sort of a ‘friendly’ nature to it, instead of standing out in the rack, the Blondie tends to blend in quietly as though it’s always been there.
The working surface sports a typical tanned and rolled type of finish, with a few underlying marks in the hide showing through – these are natural hides, and this is to be expected and understood to be unique character markings. Over time, with use, this leather will develop a gorgeous golden-brown patina with a classic vintage look.
The hides I choose for these strops are from the USA, and I trim and finish them into strops here in Brooklyn NYC. Because they are natural products, one should expect slight variations in color and markings. Like people, each steer is unique is his own special way. Every hide reflects that character with each mark, color variance and subtle shift in shading. These traits are to be admired and cherished.
Approximate Specifications.
Width: 3.0” / 76 mm
Overall Length: 25” / 63.5 cm
Total Stropping Surface: 17” / 43 cm
Realistic Stropping Area: 16” / 41 cm
Bolsters: Horsehide Leather
Hardware: Nickel-Plated Steel
