Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16
Like Tree6Likes

Thread: Cordovan vs. Shell vs. Horsehide?

  1. #1
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ithaca NY
    Posts
    1,752
    Thanked: 160

    Default Cordovan vs. Shell vs. Horsehide?

    So I'm pretty sure that all Shell is horsehide, but not all horsehide is shell? Right? Shell is the specific part on the buttocks that is thicker right?

    And then what is the difference between either shell or horsehide and Cordovan? Or is Cordovan just the official word for shell? And are old strops Cordovan or is Cordovan a new/very special thing?

  2. #2
    < Banned User >
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    3,763
    Thanked: 735

    Default

    I was wondering the same thing.

    I have had some shell horesehide, and that stuff seems to be the super-glossy zero draw stuff. Then I've recently aquired a couple of vintage "regular" horsehide that has a bit more draw, and latigo-ish qualities, if I may phrase it like that.

    Any experts out there want to chime in?

  3. #3
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ithaca NY
    Posts
    1,752
    Thanked: 160

    Default

    I know shell is horsehide, I'm wondering if ALL horsehide is shell, or if shell is a specific horsehide.

    Also, if cordovan is a tanning process- are vintage shell strops Cordovan?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_cordovan
    Wiki in this case is not so useful- it seems that Shell=Cordovan? but the article clears up that shell is a special kind of horsehide.

    http://horween.com/index.php/leathers/
    The info here confirms that not all horsehide is shell (only the butt- they have a diagram) and that cordovan is a very specific tanning process. (Horween is one of two cordovan tanneries in the world).

    So does anyone know if old Shell strops are cordovan or not?
    Last edited by khaos; 09-28-2009 at 02:16 AM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    I know that Florshiem and Alden shoe mfgs make shoes referred to as 'shell cordonvan'.
    JTmke likes this.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  5. #5
    Senior Member khaos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ithaca NY
    Posts
    1,752
    Thanked: 160

    Default

    Yeah I found that which is how I found the Horween company- that's where the shoe people get their stuff. Horween is in Chicago Illinois. How many strops have we seen Chicago stamped on? a lot. I'm just curious if any/many/all vintage shells are cordovan.

  6. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    2,746
    Thanked: 1014
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    From what I understand, "shell" is no longer really horsehide at all, it is actually leather made from the thin layer of fine muscle under the skin at the butt of the horse. The skin is all shaved away from the muscle layer, leaving a smooth leather with no grain at all.

    Hide, of course, is made from the skin.

    Cordovan is apparently a leather made from the shell through a particular tanning process. I know that it's particularly difficult to make, resulting in the price.

    This information comes though Tony Miller's posts on this forum and through my discussions with Naomi-san. Most of the reason for the high price of the Kanayama strops is the leather--he gets expensive cordovan leather, then buffs, treats and oils it until it is super soft and smooth...meaning even more man hours.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to JimR For This Useful Post:

    ezpz (12-21-2011)

  8. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    2,516
    Thanked: 369

    Default

    Shell is actually produced from a part of the subcutaneous muscle layer in horses, and other mammals, called the panniculus carnosus. Humans have a similar thin muscle called the platysma (in our necks, not our butts).

    This muscle in horses is what allows them to flinch their hide to shoo off flies.

    In humans, this same muscle layer (platysma) allows us the ability to make the WTF face.
    Last edited by honedright; 09-28-2009 at 04:54 AM.

  9. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to honedright For This Useful Post:

    BDom (09-28-2009), Seraphim (09-28-2009)

  10. #8
    JMS
    JMS is offline
    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Ramona California
    Posts
    6,858
    Thanked: 792

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by honedright View Post

    In humans, this same muscle layer (platysma) allows us the ability to make the WTF face.
    The things you know scott

  11. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    2,746
    Thanked: 1014
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by honedright View Post
    Shell is actually produced from a part of the subcutaneous muscle layer in horses, and other mammals, called the panniculus carnosus. Humans have a similar thin muscle called the platysma (in our necks, not our butts).

    This muscle in horses is what allows them to flinch their hide to shoo off flies.

    In humans, this same muscle layer (platysma) allows us the ability to make the WTF face.

    Interesting...this might cause trouble when Kanoyama release their "Lil' Platysma" line of travel strops next spring.

    I'll have to talk about them about how they're sourcing the leather...

  12. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JimR View Post
    Interesting...this might cause trouble when Kanoyama release their "Lil' Platysma" line of travel strops next spring.

    I'll have to talk about them about how they're sourcing the leather...
    While you're at it can you get a price quote ?
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •