Thread: Sharpening Help?

Originally Posted by paco

Everyone has already given you good advise. As a side note though the strop is not really doing any sharpening just aligning the fine edge on the razor.
Anyone, Please correct me if i'm giving misinformation.

we certainly can benefit from more understanding on what stropping does, but as first approximation the canvas is able to remove a bit of a steel, especially if it's used for a while, or even more if it's pasted with abrasive.
all my canvas strops have been turning gray some black with just few months of use. it removes micro oxidation on the edge which is a major contribution to dulling.

the leather is much less abrasive and it's effect is much less understood. it certainly helps realigning the edge, but most of the realignment already happens on canvas. i think it also provides the final polish and dressing of the edge which makes cutting much easier, even if there may not be any added sharpness. but this still needs to be confirmed by electron microscopy or something similar.