Stropping from long ago

[matt]

Anyone ever wonder who came up with the idea of stropping?? I wonder when It was first thought up. What exactly happens when a strop makes a razors edge shave ready?

[steve]

Well,

I have no idea who came up with it (probably Ron Popeil )

As to what it does: my understanding is that the edge of a razor has these fine little teeth (similar to a saw) and that stropping helps to keep these teeth in alignment so that the razor's edge stays smooth and keen (sharp).

I might be a little off base with this description. If so, I'm sure you'll be getting much more accurate information soon but this is the way I understand the purpose for stropping and what it does.