One thing to remember is stropping a straight razor does not “sharpen” the blade at all. Its “polishes” or straightens the microscopic fin of the blade that gets damaged when cutting. In short, it brings the blade back in alignment. It's very important to strop either right before or just after you begin to shave.

Is stropping the same as sharpening?

A well-sharpened knife is a necessary tool, especially for avid fans of cooking. Stropping and honing are two methods used for maintaining and correcting the sharpness and edge of a knife. Stropping and honing are processes that follow the actual sharpening of a knife, rather than being the sole methods for sharpening.

Why does leather sharpen a razor?

Sharpeners of straight razors for instance often prefer using a smooth leather strop with no compound applied. The leather polishes the metal and removes any burr from the edge, leaving it crisp and sharp.