stropis

Stropis refers to a method of sharpening and maintaining the edge of a blade, typically a razor or knife, using a flexible strip of leather or canvas. The strop is usually attached to a rigid backing or suspended from a fixed point. The sharpening process involves drawing the blade across the strop with the sharpened edge trailing. This action removes any microscopic imperfections or burrs that may have formed on the very apex of the blade's bevel, resulting in a finer, keener edge.

The material of the strop is crucial. Leather is the most common, often treated with stropping compounds. These compounds are typically fine abrasives suspended in a waxy or oily base. Common compounds include chromium oxide, aluminum oxide, or diamond paste. The abrasive particles in the compound work to polish the edge, further refining its sharpness. Canvas strops are also used, sometimes as a coarser initial stage before moving to leather or as a substitute for leather in certain applications.

Stropping is distinct from honing or sharpening with stones. While stones remove metal to create or reshape the bevel, stropping primarily works on the very tip of the edge. It is a finishing and maintenance step, used after honing to achieve and preserve maximum sharpness. Proper stropping technique is essential to avoid damaging the blade's edge, such as by reversing the blade's direction of travel on the strop or applying excessive pressure. The stropping motion is usually a smooth, deliberate pull.