How to Use a Strop for Sharpening Knives
A strop is a leather strap used for making the final edge when sharpening a knife. After using a sharpening stone, the blade of the knife is jagged--not smooth--on a microscopic level. A leather strop smooths those rough edges to a glass-like surface in order to achieve a razor-sharp edge. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place the leather strop flat on a hard surface and hold one end firmly in front of your body, with the strop extending away from you at a 90-degree angle.
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Add to the strop a bit of jeweler's rouge, which acts as a polishing agent and speeds the process. You need only enough rouge to create a light film on the leather surface. As you work the knife on the strop, the rouge will spread across the strop. Reapply jeweler's rouge on each occasion you use the strop; it will dry out between uses. It is also best to wipe it off when you are done.
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Draw the knife across the strop with firm pressure, away from your body and then back toward it. Instead of cutting into the strop as you would cut toward a polishing stone, pull the knife spine first and blade last in any motion. Use some side-to-side motion as you drag the knife so the entire length of the blade comes into contact with the strop during the stroke.
When turning the knife over as you change direction, turn it on its spine, not the blade. This prevents you from rolling over the blade, which can dull it. Repeat 15 or 20 times on each side. -
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Clean the newly sharpened knife with soap and water before use. If you have done a good job, the knife will cut easily and smoothly through a ripe tomato.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use a leather belt if you don't want to purchase a strop.
Don't worry about the angle of the knife. The leather gives a little to cradle the blade.
