Thread: Kanayama Strops - Are They Extinct?

Kanoyama's strop material is horsehide (cordovan).

Roger that, one of the most expensive leathers that is usually reserved for high end shoes. Other strop makers use cordovan, I guess I'm trying to really get the difference...I mean no other strop I've seen even looks like the Kanoyama, for one thing they look 3 or 4 times thicker.....does he have a special process for the leather? I'm sure he does not contact Horween and say send me some of your secret material that all of the other strop makers can't get...

Originally Posted by lz6

Kanoyama's strop material is horsehide (cordovan).

Originally Posted by WW243

When I look at his strops a simple question occurs to me and perhaps some of the strop makers could answer: if his strops are the stuff of legends, why aren't more leather workers using this material? Does he also breed the cattle? It is not magic, it is bovine or horse. I'm sure there are many craftsman who could make a long rectangle and attach some hardware....so again it must be his source of material....they are beautiful!

As I understand it, real "shell" cordovan is a specific membrane from a horse's behind, which provides two shells of material per horse , just enough for a pair of shoes. There is also some sort of complex six month "magic" tanning involved (there's a short description here from the tannery Shell Cordovan « Horween Leather Company ). So material cost is way high.

Originally Posted by badg3r

I only throw the seal skin into the rotation on leap years. In 2016, it will be there. At the moment, I have it conditioning on a beach in the northern Pacific.



I wish I had known about those tear hones before I slaughtered him for a strop, thanks for keeping that lil secret until it was too late, Ed. I did however get a very unique set of "horn" scales...

I hope that seal skin only gets used on the 29th of feb, thats the only way you will keep the bad magic in check that gets created by the murdered unicorn horn scales.
The only good unicorn tear hones are the ones created from the tears of happiness of baby unicorns, gathered on a full moon on a leap year on the 29th of feb and only if the year is a prime number.you must travel counterclockwise to the magnetc north pole and freeze the tears there under the same moon that they were collected under.

Originally Posted by GaryG

I've read some about these, found them at AFrames Tokyo, but all models are showing sold out. Also found a thread on another site that said the maker was about to retire. Have they taken the boat with the Elves to the West with the Unicorns?

Naomi-san, owner and maker of Kanayama strops, is alive and well! I've just seen him twice within the last week as noted HERE & HERE. If people are interested and motivated, I would possibly consider getting involved and helping people get their hands on some Kanayama strops.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I hope that seal skin only gets used on the 29th of feb, thats the only way you will keep the bad magic in check that gets created by the murdered unicorn horn scales.
The only good unicorn tear hones are the ones created from the tears of happiness of baby unicorns, gathered on a full moon on a leap year on the 29th of feb and only if the year is a prime number.you must travel counterclockwise to the magnetc north pole and freeze the tears there under the same moon that they were collected under.

I give, you are the man!!! Clearly you are better versed in Mythical Edge maintenance than I, Ed.
Edge Master you are! (said in my best Yoda voice)

Originally Posted by WW243

Roger that, one of the most expensive leathers that is usually reserved for high end shoes. Other strop makers use cordovan, I guess I'm trying to really get the difference...I mean no other strop I've seen even looks like the Kanoyama, for one thing they look 3 or 4 times thicker.....does he have a special process for the leather? I'm sure he does not contact Horween and say send me some of your secret material that all of the other strop makers can't get...

I would think there are many sources for horsehide in general and cordovan in particular. Horses are slaughtered in many countries including the U.S. and I believe Japan imports horsemeat but I do not know if they slaughter. South America exports skin and meat as well as some European countries.
Kanoyama strops vary in thickness. I have no idea how he procures, processes his hides to include that amazing slick finish on his strops.

So he is processing his own hides? Is this common for strop makers? Or does this fact add to both the mystique and true quality of his strops?

Originally Posted by lz6

I would think there are many sources for horsehide in general and cordovan in particular. Horses are slaughtered in many countries including the U.S. and I believe Japan imports horsemeat but I do not know if they slaughter. South America exports skin and meat as well as some European countries.
Kanoyama strops vary in thickness. I have no idea how he procures, processes his hides to include that amazing slick finish on his strops.

Originally Posted by lz6

I would think there are many sources for horsehide in general and cordovan in particular. Horses are slaughtered in many countries including the U.S. and I believe Japan imports horsemeat but I do not know if they slaughter. South America exports skin and meat as well as some European countries.
Kanoyama strops vary in thickness. I have no idea how he procures, processes his hides to include that amazing slick finish on his strops.

Try to Find some Quality Horsehide, in paricular, Cordovan

I've only seen one name: Horween a company that has been in business since 1905. I watched a video about the making of their leather and it does not look like a simple process. So the question remains unanswered for me: Is Naomi-san beginning his process with raw hide?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Try to Find some Quality Horsehide, in paricular, Cordovan