Thread: What does "Shell" mean?

Hey, what does the term "shell" mean when desribing a strop?

It's a part off of a horses butt. Not really the hide, but a thin muscle/ connective tissue layer just under the hide at the horses rump. Once much more common, but rare today. Some of the best strops were of shell cordovan and some of the best shoes found today (think $$$$$$$).


Scott

+1 on what Honedright said. Each horse can produce two shells which make just one pair of shoes. The genuine Cordovan Shell leather (so-called because of the process devised in Cordoba, Spain) does not produce long strips of leather. For instance, if you bought a cordovan leather belt it would have to have a joint in it, so the genuine shell was probably never used for making strops.

The term "horse shell" was probably used loosely to describe leather made from the area around the shell, of which longer strips could be cut. I don't know why the word "shell" was used - perhaps just because a shell is a hard outer covering?

Regards,
Neil

Today the "shell" pieces are very pricey and for the most part removing them from the possibility of strop making. The size, as mentioned is also a problem as the typical oval shell may only be 16" to 19" long at best.

Cordovan is another one of those names who has turned generic over time much like the word "linen" which can mean any cloth attached to a strop. In it's day Cordovan was always the tanning and real cordovan shoes were cordovan tanned horsehide, today if used at all the salesman will point you to a pair of burgundy brown ( cordovan colored) cowhide shoes. The real thing is still out there but come at a very dear price.

Tony

I'm dying for a pair of these shoes, and fondle them whenever I'm in NYC, but I can't afford them at the moment..

Alden

Jordan

As a point of interest, the first cordovan was made from goats! In fact the german for cordovan is "ziegenleder" which translates as goat (or kid) leather. And it was tanned differnetly - using alum. A long way from today's genuine shell cordovan!

Regards,
Neil

where do I get some of that stuff you're on? awesome!

So, if my strop says "Genuine Shell", it probably actually isn't?

Hey Jim, if you want to call up the Kanayama Leather Strop Company to find out, I have their address and phone number.

Originally Posted by ZethLent

Hey Jim, if you want to call up the Kanayama Leather Strop Company to find out, I have their address and phone number.

Actually...Yeah, I wouldn't mind having it. It'll be a fun conversation....


O_S, I'm curious about that tannery. Do they produce most for the shoe industry? Very interesting...