Strop

Strop

Strop is a type of leather or fabric material that is used to sharpen and polish the edges of cutting tools such as razors, knives, and chisels. The process of stropping involves running the blade along the surface of the strop in a specific angle and direction, which helps to remove any microscopic burrs or dullness on the edge of the blade, resulting in a sharper and more refined cutting edge. Stropping is often used as a final step in the sharpening process, after honing or grinding, to achieve the desired level of sharpness and smoothness. Strops can be made from a variety of materials, including leather, canvas, denim, and even balsa wood. Leather strops are the most common and widely used, as they provide a smooth and supple surface that is ideal for polishing and refining the edge of a blade. Canvas and denim strops, on the other hand, are more abrasive and are often used for initial sharpening or to remove larger burrs or nicks from the blade. Stropping is a skill that requires practice and patience, as it can be difficult to achieve the correct angle and pressure needed to achieve the desired level of sharpness. However, with proper technique and the right tools, stropping can be an effective and efficient way to maintain and sharpen your cutting tools.

sharpening, polishing, leather, canvas, technique

— Michael Davis

CITATION : "Michael Davis. 'Strop.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=280640 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"