Thread: Kanayama Strops - Are They Extinct?

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?

IIRC Jim R posted a while back that the the maker would retire.

They aren't the easiest to get anymore, but I think Maxim at JNS still have some in stock.

Maxim normally has some stock. You can also contact the owner of aframes via email, Takeshi Aoki, and enquire as to when he expects kanayama strops to come in. There are other sellers as well possibly. They are a great, albeit, highly priced strop. I do not know if the original maker still does the work or if it is done with his oversight but they are being made. I would not recommend a kanayama as your first strop unless $ are not a concern.

Thanks gents, Ill try those .. and I haven't nicked the "practice strop" in a while, understand that the kanayamas are pretty thin

Originally Posted by GaryG

Thanks gents, Ill try those .. and I haven't nicked the "practice strop" in a while, understand that the kanayamas are pretty thin

The #3 is other models are thicker

I emailed him about getting the 50k in stock, also to see if he was getting more. By the tone of his response (he said he carries them--in the present tense) I suspect & hope that they are still being made.

Kanayama strops back in stock at aframes PA23-250.

Maxim always keep several Kanayama's in stock. In fact, he is off to see him in Japan in a couple of weeks from what I understand

Originally Posted by lz6

Kanayama strops back in stock at aframes PA23-250.

Thanks for the heads-up - Aframe's prices appear to be significantly less than JNS, much more-so with the former's "sale" prices .. though they have only one model # strop in common (the 8000). In that case Aframes is about $80 or around 24% less after backing out the VAT. Shipping is also quite a bit less dear for Americans anyway, since it is domestic - $15 for Priority from Aframe, $42+ for DHL International from JNS.

I've always (well for about a year) been lusting after a kanayama. These threads keep rekindling the desire to get one so I ordered the 80000 from Takeshi at aframes last week. Supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'll do another post with some pics when I get it.