Thread: Limited Financial Resources...

Originally Posted by Playful

Once again wondering... What is the difference between a leather strop and a canvas strop? Is there a real difference in finished product(edge)? If so, for a newbie, which would you recommend?

IMHO, the difference is the level of abrasiveness/harshness. And before you start going off to "hone" your razors with a canvas strop, the abrasive level is so small that its not even worth noting. If it exists at all. It could be in my head.

That said, the way I like to look at it is the canvas/linen/cloth side is for "sculpting" the edge or coarse removal of corrosion. The leather side is for smoothing the edge to final...smoothness.

TBH, I am not entirely sure what the heck goes on at the microscopic level. I personally believe stropping removes the corrosion and realigns the edge (similar to a chef's knife steel). Thus, the linen would be for the hard labor, and the leather is for the finishing touches. Yeah, thats my position and I'm going to stick to it.