Which Side of Leather for Strop: A Complete Guide
If you’ve ever delved into the world of sharpening tools—whether it’s knives, razors, or chisels—you’ve likely encountered leather strops.
A leather strop is an indispensable tool for honing and polishing your blades to a razor-sharp finish. However, one question that often comes up among enthusiasts and beginners alike is, “Which side of the leather should you use for stropping?”
This guide will answer that question in detail, explaining both the rough and smooth sides of leather strops, how they function, and which side works best for different needs. By the end of this comprehensive article, you’ll know exactly how to use a strop properly and get the best results for your blades.
What is a Leather Strop and Why is it Used?
Before we dive into which side of leather to use, let’s first understand what a leather strop is and its purpose.
A leather strop is a piece of leather used to refine the edge of a blade after sharpening. Unlike sharpening stones, which remove metal to shape and sharpen an edge, a strop works to hone and polish the edge, making it sharper and smoother. This process is known as stropping, and it removes tiny burrs or imperfections left after sharpening.
Here’s why stropping is essential:
- Razor-Sharp Edge: Stropping ensures the edge of your blade is perfectly aligned, enhancing its sharpness.
- Polished Finish: The strop smoothens the blade’s edge, removing micro-serrations and giving it a mirror-like polish.
- Prolonged Blade Life: Regular stropping helps maintain sharpness, reducing the frequency of sharpening with stones, which removes more material.
Now that you understand the importance of stropping, let’s focus on the most critical element—which side of the leather should you use?
The Two Sides of Leather: Rough vs. Smooth
Leather strops typically come with two distinct sides:
- The Rough Side: Also called the flesh side, this side has a fibrous, textured surface. It is the underside of the leather where the hide was separated from the animal’s flesh.
- The Smooth Side: Known as the grain side, this is the finished, polished surface of the leather. It’s smoother, firmer, and often treated or dyed.
Both sides can be used for stropping, but their effectiveness depends on factors like the type of blade, the desired finish, and whether you’re using stropping compounds.
Let’s break down each side and how it performs in stropping.
Using the Smooth (Grain) Side of Leather for Stropping
The smooth side of the leather is the most commonly used surface for stropping. This side has a finer texture and is ideal for polishing the blade’s edge to a high degree of sharpness.
Advantages of the Smooth Side
- Polishing Ability: The smooth side excels at polishing the blade, leaving it with a mirror-like finish.
- Less Aggressive: It’s gentler on the blade compared to the rough side, making it ideal for final honing.
- Perfect for Stropping Compounds: If you use a stropping compound (abrasive paste or powder), the smooth side holds the compound well, allowing for precise honing.
When to Use the Smooth Side
- When your blade is already sharp and you’re looking for a refined, razor-like edge.
- If you’re using a stropping compound for extra polishing and edge enhancement.
- For straight razors, carving tools, and fine kitchen knives where precision is key.
How to Use the Smooth Side for Stropping
- Apply a stropping compound if desired. A green chromium oxide compound is commonly used for ultra-fine polishing.
- Hold the strop flat on a stable surface or hang it taut (for hanging strops).
- Place the blade flat against the strop, edge trailing (spine first).
- Pull the blade across the leather in smooth, even strokes, maintaining consistent pressure.
- Alternate sides of the blade until the edge is polished and refined.
The smooth side is perfect for achieving that ultimate sharpness and polished look.
Using the Rough (Flesh) Side of Leather for Stropping
The rough side of leather is less refined and has a fibrous texture, giving it more “bite” during stropping. This side can be surprisingly effective for certain tasks.
Advantages of the Rough Side
- More Aggressive Honing: The textured surface removes burrs and imperfections more aggressively than the smooth side.
- Great for Coarser Compounds: The rough side holds coarser stropping compounds well, making it effective for initial stropping.
- Restores Slightly Dull Edges: If your blade has lost its edge, the rough side can help bring it back before refining it on the smooth side.
When to Use the Rough Side
- When you need to remove burrs or micro-serrations left from sharpening stones.
- If the blade is slightly dull and needs more aggressive honing.
- For tools like chisels, axes, or outdoor knives that don’t require as fine a polish.
How to Use the Rough Side for Stropping
- If using a stropping compound, apply it generously to the rough side. A coarser compound works best on this surface.
- Lay the strop flat or hang it taut.
- Place the blade flat against the rough leather, edge trailing.
- Pull the blade across the strop with firm, even strokes, focusing on removing burrs and imperfections.
- Switch to the smooth side for final polishing if needed.
The rough side works well as a preparatory step before moving to the smooth side for a final finish.
Smooth Side vs. Rough Side: Which is Better?
When deciding which side of the leather strop to use, the answer largely depends on your needs and the condition of your blade.
| Criteria | Smooth Side (Grain) | Rough Side (Flesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, polished surface | Textured, fibrous surface |
| Use | Final polishing and honing | Removing burrs, initial stropping |
| Aggressiveness | Gentle, fine honing | More aggressive honing |
| Compounds | Works well with fine compounds | Works with coarser compounds |
| Best For | Straight razors, fine tools | Outdoor knives, duller edges |
| Finish | High-polish, mirror-like finish | Coarser finish, pre-polish |
If you’re aiming for a highly polished edge, the smooth side is your go-to choice. If your blade is slightly dull or rough, start with the rough side and finish on the smooth side.
Can You Use Both Sides of the Leather Strop?
Yes, you can use both sides of the strop effectively, and many professionals do. Here’s a simple process:
- Start with the Rough Side: Use this side to remove burrs or refine a blade that is slightly dull. You can apply a coarser compound for more aggressive honing.
- Finish with the Smooth Side: Once the blade is honed on the rough side, switch to the smooth side to polish and refine the edge to razor sharpness.
Using both sides maximizes the effectiveness of your strop, combining the rough side’s aggressive honing with the smooth side’s fine polishing.
Tips for Effective Stropping
To get the most out of your leather strop, follow these tips:
- Edge Trailing: Always strop with the edge trailing (spine first). Leading with the edge can cut into the leather and damage it.
- Light Pressure: Use light, even pressure to avoid over-honing or damaging the edge. Let the leather and compound do the work.
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent angle throughout the stropping process. For most knives, a 15-20 degree angle works well.
- Clean the Leather: Keep your strop clean by wiping it with a cloth occasionally. If needed, you can sand the surface lightly to remove old compound buildup.
- Use Compounds Wisely: Stropping compounds enhance performance but choose the right grit for your needs. Fine compounds work best on the smooth side, while coarser compounds pair well with the rough side.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Side for Stropping
When it comes to stropping your blades, both sides of a leather strop—the smooth side and the rough side—have their unique benefits.
- Use the smooth side for final honing and polishing to achieve a mirror-like edge.
- Use the rough side for initial honing, removing burrs, or restoring slightly dull edges.
For the best results, you can combine both sides: start with the rough side for aggressive honing and finish with the smooth side for a refined, razor-sharp edge.
Understanding how to utilize both sides of the leather strop allows you to maintain your blades efficiently, ensuring they remain sharp, effective, and ready for any task. With regular stropping and proper care, your knives, razors, and tools will serve you well for years to come.
So, the next time you pick up your strop, you’ll know exactly which side to use and why. Happy stropping!
