Definition of the word strop

The origin of the word "strop" can be traced back to the Old French word "estroper," which means "to scrape" or "to stop." In the context of edged tool sharpening, a strop is a contentious item used to finish honing a knife or razor blade. The process of sharpening an edge involves three stages: coarse honing, medium honing, and fine honing. The coarse stage is done using a coarse-grit sharpening stone, which removes large amounts of metal to create a new edge. Medium honing involves a finer grit stone, which refines the edge. The fine honing stage is done using a strop, which smoothes and perfects the edge. A strop is typically made of leather and coated with a lubricant, such as honing compound or mineral oil. The blade is drawn back and forth over the surface of the strop, leaving a perfectly sharp edge. The leather helps to realign the microscopic, jagged teeth on the blade, giving it a smooth, polished edge. The word "strop" first appeared in the English language around the 14th century, as an extension of the Old French word "estroper." In its earliest forms, the word was spelled "estrepe," and it essentially meant "to scrape" or "to smooth." Today, the word is still used in the context of sharpening tools, particularly knives and razor blades, and it remains an essential tool in the process of producing a wickedly sharp edge.