Strop

A strop is a flexible strip of leather, fabric, or other material used to sharpen or hone a blade, especially a razor. The process of stropping involves drawing the blade repeatedly across the strop to align the edge of the blade and remove any imperfections, achieving a sharper and smoother cutting surface. Stropping maintains the sharpness of blades over time and ensures their longevity. Stropping can also involve applying a polishing compound to the strop to aid in the sharpening and refining process. Regular stropping can eliminate the need for frequent and aggressive sharpening techniques.

Strop meaning with examples

• Before shaving, my grandfather meticulously stropped his straight razor on a well-worn leather strop, carefully listening for the subtle 'shss' sound that indicated proper alignment. The ritual, he said, was as important as the shave itself, a meditation before facing the day. It was something that he passed on to me. He wanted me to see the benefits of good tools.
• The barber expertly stropped the cutthroat razor, moving it across the leather with practiced precision before carefully shaping my beard. The rhythmic motion and the scent of leather and the polishing compound created a sense of calm, the anticipation building, I knew a quality shave was coming. This skill had been handed down through many generations of Barbers.
• After each use, the chef routinely stropped the edge of his knives, using a canvas strop loaded with honing compound, ensuring they remained razor sharp for precise cuts. This preventative measure extended the life of the expensive knives. I now do this daily to ensure that the knives I own will last and always stay sharp.
• Ignoring the advice, the impatient woodworker skipped stropping his chisel, which quickly lost its sharp edge, making clean cuts difficult and frustrating, leading to shoddy work. He eventually realized the value in proper blade maintenance and how stropping the tools would save time and make better work.
• The straight razor will become dull if not stropped. This prevents the skin from irritation. As a bonus, you get a better shave if you strop your blade before shaving.