Thread: A Visit to Japan's one and only Strop Man

Great write up Seth. I've seen guys post on those strops and was interested .... now I'm obsessed.

Thanx for this post. Always great to see the "source".

P.S. I love my "Fine Stars" strop (Thanx to JimR for selling)

What a great post, Seth. And you should cherish your meeting with such a generational artisan. I too would LOVE an ultra thick horsehide strop. I've only had the opportunity to view and handle a few very good condition shell strops owned by an active barber. Those strops had to be 1/4" thick. Very cool. Can you make another trip back there and act as an intermediary buyer for us? A group buy?

Chris L

does he have a web site that you can order from?

Originally Posted by ronnie brown

does he have a web site that you can order from?

Nope. As far as I know you won't find his strops for sale anywhere online aside from my shop and Martin's shop.

Originally Posted by scottlp

Nope. As far as I know you won't find his strops for sale anywhere online aside from my shop and Martin's shop.

There are other websites but they are for the domestic market here in Japan and will not ship internationally.

zeth did you happen to mention the potential market he might have on SRP?

A simple addition of international shipping and he could have his sales skyrocketing (depending on currency conversion).

Thank you for showing us these beautiful pieces of work and the account of your experience.

Originally Posted by mbwhoosh

zeth did you happen to mention the potential market he might have on SRP?

A simple addition of international shipping and he could have his sales skyrocketing (depending on currency conversion).

Sorry to butt in here, but I've talked to him a couple of times just along this line, and there's just no chance. He's pretty nervous about doing any kind of international business--he won't even take credit cards in Japan; he's SUPER old school, slow to change. He mentioned one time that his son is thinking of making a website, but but who knows what kind.

Originally Posted by mbwhoosh

zeth did you happen to mention the potential market he might have on SRP?

A simple addition of international shipping and he could have his sales skyrocketing (depending on currency conversion).

Jim is right on the money here. He is both old and old school. It's just him and his wife, production has its limits. And to be honest I don't think he is convinced of the long term sales potential of the cordovan razor strop (not that he is cutting them out all together). There is a much larger market for leather accesories (i.e. wallets etc.), and taking a step back may not be in his best interests.

I also think the two vendors (Rasupur and Rasage Poulin) that have them for sale are very well respected and deserve your business if you want one. Both offer lightening fast shipping and accept paypal. The exchange rate right now is also not in your favour, with the yen sitting where it is. Your better off buying from either Martin or Scott.