The Secret to Razor-Sharp Knives Most Home Cooks Skip

Having a sharp knife in the kitchen, workshop, or even when you are camping is essential for safe cutting and slicing. The sharp edge bites into the target material easily, allowing you to make precise cuts without the blade slipping. An important part of sharpening your knife is removing any microscopic burrs, polishing the edge, and aligning the blade for maximum sharpness. That’s where a leather strop comes into play. Find out how to use a leather strop to ensure your knives are as sharp and accurate as possible. 

What is a Leather Strop Used For in Knife Sharpening?

Having a leather strop on hand when you are sharpening your knives will make it much easier to get a razor-sharp finish on your blades. Generally, a leather strop is a tool that is used for the final stage of knife sharpening, though it can also be put to use for daily blade maintenance, allowing you to extend the amount of time between sharpening sessions. 

“It is often a flat or paddle-mounted piece of leather (or sometimes cloth) used to polish and refine a blade’s edge after sharpening. Unlike a whetstone, which grinds metal away to create a new edge, a leather strop is used to realign the microscopic teeth of the blade’s edge, and removes the 'burr' left over from sharpening stones,” explains Bill Joseph, founder of Frontier Blades. 

Related: 5 Best Knife Sharpeners of 2025 for Beginners and Pros, Recommended by Experts

When Should You Use a Leather Strop?

A leather strop is typically used immediately after sharpening a knife in order to polish and realign the microedge of the blade, while removing any microscopic burrs left on the blade. It can also be used for daily maintenance to keep the cutting edge properly aligned for precise and efficient cutting, slicing, and dicing. 

Joseph notes that “once you have finished sharpening your knife on a whetstone or belt, the leather strop should be used as the 'finishing touch' to remove the burr and polish the edge to a mirror finish. Also, if your knife feels slightly dull but isn’t damaged, a few passes on a leather strop can revitalize and touch up the blade between uses, without needing to use a whetstone.”

Related: How to Find the Correct Knife Sharpening Angle for Kitchen, Pocket, and Outdoor Knives

What Are the Benefits of Using a Leather Strop?

There are many benefits to using a leather strop on your knife blades, such as extending the life of your knife by decreasing the need for frequent sharpenings. Stropping also creates a mirror polish on the blade, reducing friction during cutting by ensuring the bevel is polished to a shiny finish. 

“Using a leather strop ensures razor sharpness, as it removes the burr left by whetstones after sharpening, and polishes the edge for smoother and cleaner cuts, and improves perceived sharpness. It can essentially take a working edge, and turn it into a shaving edge,” adds Joseph.

How to Use a Leather Strop

You should use a leather strop immediately after sharpening the knife as a finishing touch or as a regular part of blade maintenance. Joseph details below exactly how you should be using a leather strop for the best results. 

1. Clean the strop, and if desired, apply a small amount of polishing compound (green chromium oxide or similar) to the rough side of the leather.
2. Secure the leather strop flat on a table or hold it tight if it’s a hanging strop.
3. Place the blade flat on the leather and raise the spine slightly to match the bevel angle, which is usually around 15 to 20 degrees.
4. Using light pressure, draw the knife backwards along the leather with the spine leading and the edge trailing. Never push the edge into the leather, as this will slice the strop.
5. Flip the knife and repeat on the other side. Perform this 10 to 15 times per side to ensure a polished edge.
6. Check your progress by slicing paper or a tomato. Repeat until the edge feels smooth and bites cleanly.