Knife Sharpening - Stropping

Stropping

Stropping a knife is a finishing step. This is often done with a leather strap impregnated with abrasive compounds (e.g. Chromium(III) oxide), but can be done on paper, cardstock, cloth, or even bare skin in a pinch. It does not remove any metal material, but produces a very sharp edge by straightening the edge as to maximize the amount of edge contact with the object being cut. Stropping will bring a somewhat sharp blade to "like new" condition.