After trading a few e-mails with Tony at TWG, I thought I would throw this out for discussion, and maybe learn a thing or three.

Canvas? Does it really do anything in the improvement of an edge? From my knife sharpening experience, after the stones, it helps a great deal to strop on leather. But, you can use almost any smooth surface and get the same result: paper/cardboard, fabric, wood etc. Ok a razor edge is a bit different, but after all, by definition, an edge is just two planes of metal meeting at an acute angle.

So, if I am going to strop on leather, why or how does using canvas add the the level of sharpness?

And also, how about the different leathers. Horsehide vs latigo. Is there a cost/benefit to one over the other? I'm wondering if there is empirical evidence to support any conclusion, other than subjective, anecdotal opinion?

And lastly, how about handles? D-rings, leather, or none at all? I would think none at all is asking for a sliced finger. Any opinions on this? I know it sounds dumb, but well, I'm a newb and need to ask the dumb ones before I can start asking the intelligent ones.

What say ye, oh wise whiskerless ones sitting at the foot of the great revered Buddah, up in the headwaters of the great Holy Ganges?