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From context I gather that it is a way of putting the finishing touches on a freshly sharpened edge, but that's about all I know. So, what is it? I'm interested in anything that will improve my knives.
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What does stropping do?
- Thread starter TheMightyGoat
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Stropping aligns the blade or breaks off the "wire edge". Sharp edges, especially if you have a high angle when sharpening, will bend over a little during use. A strop will flaten out the edge and align it...same thing a rat tail metal does, keeps the knife cutting great and extends the sharpening time.
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Does a steel do the same thing, or does a steel actually sharpen?
Cliff Stamp
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A smooth steel induces a tremendous pressure on the knife edge, literally smashing out any rolls or dents. It leaves the edge is a highly deformed state, usually bent to one side, and prone to relaxing (going blunt) in a short period of time without use. A grooved steel is similar with the added effect of being able to act as a file on soft blades.
A strop is similar to a steel in that it will also align an edge, removing any excessive rolling, however it is easier to produce an edge which isn't bent to one side. A strop can also remove a burr or wire edge, though it does so very poorly. A strop can also be used with a polishing or honing abrasive and in which case it becomes a stone or sorts.
-Cliff
A strop is similar to a steel in that it will also align an edge, removing any excessive rolling, however it is easier to produce an edge which isn't bent to one side. A strop can also remove a burr or wire edge, though it does so very poorly. A strop can also be used with a polishing or honing abrasive and in which case it becomes a stone or sorts.
-Cliff
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Cliff, could you elaborate on why a strop is very poor at removing a burr or wire edge? I use it for such a purpose and know many others do as well. What would you recommend for this purpose instead?
TMG, as Cliff said a steel will realign the edge so that it feels sharper. Oftentimes edge roll causes perceived dulling before the edge is dull from metal wearing away. Using a steel regularly will extend the time between sharpening and will make sharpening easier as well (let the steel straighten the edge instead of grinding it straight).
TMG, as Cliff said a steel will realign the edge so that it feels sharper. Oftentimes edge roll causes perceived dulling before the edge is dull from metal wearing away. Using a steel regularly will extend the time between sharpening and will make sharpening easier as well (let the steel straighten the edge instead of grinding it straight).
Cliff Stamp
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Stropping is an edge trailing honing action, which is far less efficient at removing a burr than leading edge honing. This can be understood by considering the action of the abrasive on the deformed edge. Edge training produces a force when tends to push the burr from side to side, leading edge honing will act to simply cut it off.
The easiest way to see this without the aid of magnification is to hone a really cheap and soft stainless knife with a file. This can leave a burr up to one to two mm wide, yes really that big. Now strop this and watch what happens. The burr just flops around from side to side and when and if it finally breaks leaves a ragged and torn edge.
In contrast the burr can be completely removed within just a couple of light strokes with leading edge honing on a fine abrasive. This will leave an edge which is also much cleaner, but there is still likely to be some damage from the removal, as there will always be tearing to some degree.
-Cliff
The easiest way to see this without the aid of magnification is to hone a really cheap and soft stainless knife with a file. This can leave a burr up to one to two mm wide, yes really that big. Now strop this and watch what happens. The burr just flops around from side to side and when and if it finally breaks leaves a ragged and torn edge.
In contrast the burr can be completely removed within just a couple of light strokes with leading edge honing on a fine abrasive. This will leave an edge which is also much cleaner, but there is still likely to be some damage from the removal, as there will always be tearing to some degree.
-Cliff