Quote Originally Posted by Nanook View Post
I've been under the impression that one can use a strap with a griding paste to sharpen a dull knife but that the standard use of putting the final sharp edge on a razor does without any grit. I do know of conditioners but, again, I'm under the impression that they are used to protect and maintain the leather strap rather than assist in the blade polishing.
The "sharpening" you see them doing is to straighten the edge. Even with the most fine stones the razor's edge will form a roll on it from the pressure of sharpening it. Think of the razor edge as a J shape the leather only straightens the hook out.