Strop on leather for a razor-sharp finish

After sharpening on a stone or system, draw the blade spine-first across a leather strop (with or without polishing compound) for 20-30 alternating strokes per side. This final step polishes the edge to a mirror finish and removes the last traces of the sharpening burr.

Why It Works

Stropping removes the microscopic burr left by even the finest sharpening stones and polishes the cutting edge to an extremely fine point. The leather conforms slightly around the edge, reaching areas that flat stones miss.

Tips

• A leather belt glued to a flat board makes a perfectly functional strop for $5
• Chromium oxide or diamond paste compound on the leather accelerates polishing
• Strop after every sharpening session for the sharpest possible result
• This is what separates a "sharp" knife from a "scary sharp" knife