What’s a Strop Razor?

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A razor string is a strip of material, usually leather or canvas, used to straighten and sharpen the edge of a razor, knife, or other cutting tool. Unlike sharpening, which requires the use of a whetstone, a razor string does not remove material from the blade but merely realigns the edge to restore sharpness. The strips are used to buff the metal blade and remove any burrs left over from the honing, and a variety of polishing compounds can be used in conjunction with the strip to achieve the desired level of finish. The best known type of razor lanyard is the hanging one, but hand and paddle versions are also available.

Razor blades are not a commonly used item in the early 21st century, because safety razors and more elaborate knife sharpening devices have made them a bit dated. Stropping is still considered one of the best ways to get a fine, smooth edge on any edged blade, according to those who prefer a straight edge to a disposable razor. Any cutting edge tool, such as knives and various woodworking tools, can benefit from stropping, but the nature of the straight razor lends itself particularly well to the technique. The carbon steel used in many razors is soft, and while the stainless steel used in other razors is harder, the thinness of the blade lends itself to stropping, which doesn’t remove any material the way honing does.

The two materials used in razor strobes are canvas and leather, with the former being the more abrasive. After honing, sometimes a cutting edge is first threaded onto a canvas surface and then polished onto a leather cord. Various grades of honing compound can be used with both razor cords and many experts recommend finishing with red jeweler’s compound on the leather cord to ensure the finest edge and highest level of polish. For straight razors in particular, the type of paste used can differ based on the composition of the blade, and diamond pastes are sometimes preferred because they work better on the harder steel used in contemporary straight razors.

Straight-edge razor aficionados say the microscopic changes that occur in a razor’s edge with use tend to “grow” after the razor is stored, stretching the previously fine edge out of alignment and dulling its surface. To maintain the edge needed for a close shave, the tool should be shaved after a few shaves, with some experts recommending shaving before each use. Most sources agree that using an extra choke, rather than fewer, will extend blade life and reduce the need for grinding or honing.

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