How to use a leather strop

The primary function of a leather strop is to remove burrs and metal shavings from the blade edge, enhancing the sharpness of the tool. If your leather strop is treated with high-quality compounds, the efficiency of removing burrs and metal shavings is further improved, leading to a polished finish that makes your blade shine.

Today, I will demonstrate the correct use of a leather strop with a Gyuto knife. If your blade is very dull, it is advisable to first sharpen the blade to a sharp edge using a sharpening stone before using the leather strop to enhance sharpness and polish.

Using a leather strop is simple, with attention to three key factors:

1. Direction: Strop in one direction only, applying pressure from the edge towards the spine. If your blade has a curved edge, slowly and steadily raise the handle to ensure even stropping along the entire edge.
2. Angle: Match the stropping angle to your sharpening angle. For instance, if your sharpening angle is 20 degrees, strop at a 20-degree angle. Adjust accordingly for different sharpening angles.
3. Stropping Frequency: To remove burrs, stropping the edge 8-10 times in one direction should suffice. For a polished finish, around 20 strokes per side can achieve a mirror-like effect. However, this depends on the quality of the compound used. A good compound is essential for effective burr removal and polishing.

If you have any questions regarding the use of a leather strop, feel free to ask in the comments. We are open to discussions and may even present video demonstrations for further clarity.