Athletic pursuits turn into instruments of sharp practice (6)
I believe the answer is:
strops
'instruments of sharp practice' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strops that I've seen before include "Leather straps to sharpen razors" , "bits of leather" , "Sharpens on leather for sports" , "Leather razor sharpeners" , "Sharpens on piece of leather" .)