Here's what I've got so far.

Last week I had my friend pick up a piece of pine 2x2 to use as my base. It was pretty damned crooked. So this week I got a piece of poplar. It was only a dollar or so more for a 2ft length.



So I cut it in half with the only saw I have here. I could have left it long enough to make a handle, but this is kind of an experiment, so I probably won't even stain it.




First Blood II was a great accompaniment.



Here's my awesome clamping system to hold the strops in place as the glue dries. I hope the rubber cement will hold. If not, I can always redo it.