Strop
A strop is a strip of specially prepared material used to realign and polish the edge of a bladed tool or weapon after sharpening. Most commonly leather, but also fabric or synthetic materials in modern versions. A strop is used after grinding or honing to refine the edge by removing the microscopic burr and closing the edge’s micro-serrations. It does not significantly remove material, in contrast to abrasives like honing stones.
Construction: typical strops are a leather strap stretched taut on a frame; the strap may be two-sided
Use: the blade is drawn along the strop with light pressure, at roughly the same bevel angle
Types: bench strops (mounted on a table) and hand-held strops; double-sided strops with separate leather and
History: stropping has long been associated with straight razors and barbering; leather strops were commonly used