Kanayama Strop Visit

After a bit reading and researching I learned that Japan's premiere strop maker is actually only located about a 12-15 minute bike ride away from my home in central Tokyo. So today I paid Naomi-san, the owner and craftsmen a visit! Here are a few photos from his place of business/home:
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Naomi-san as you can see was quite happy and healthy! It really was a great visit, and we had a very enjoyable discussion about a lot of topics including different culture aspects of Japan, and the many virtues of Japanese women! The as of yet unmarked, unstamped strop in the middle of the photos will be my new 3 piece Kanayama #80000. Naomi-san will be calling me next week when it will be ready for me to pick-up. Photos of the completed strop will follow!

Cheers,
Pete

My Kanayama 80000 strop is by far my favorite to use. A pleasure in feel and feedback and just over all great to look at and feel. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine, as I'm sure you will :tu

I love my 8000 and the suede component is my favourite I love the feel and sound of that suede while stropping.

Good to hear! I already have a two part Llama #2196 which has been great, but I am really looking forward to using the new #80000 when it is ready!

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Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

My Kanayama 80000 strop is by far my favorite to use. A pleasure in feel and feedback and just over all great to look at and feel. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine, as I'm sure you will :tu

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I'll +1 that. I think that I have half as many strops as I do razors and from Kanayama alone I have 4 of them ranging from the 10,000 to the 80,000. The 80,000 is a dream, there is nothing better IMO and the rest of my collection only gets to look on in envy as it endures most of my everyday use.

Discussing strops and women with Naomi-san? WOW, that can't be beat!

Glad to see that he is healthy, up and around, and still putting out those wonderful strops. Thanks for the heads up.

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Originally Posted by badg3r

Discussing strops and women with Naomi-san? WOW, that can't be beat!

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Yeah, initially he was little bit quiet and reserved, which frankly is pretty normal in Japanese social settings. But once he opened the door with a few questions, I had a chance to tell him about my Japanese wife and kids, my long term study of martial arts, and general all around love of traditional Japanese culture, he opened right up and was all smiles and warmth! It was a really great conversation and a really great experience! I'm looking forward to meeting him again!

Not trying to "steal your thunder," but the thread that began the 'Kanayama craze' was the result of another member's visit with Naomi-san ........ ;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...light=Kanayama

It is great news that this Gentleman is well and still working on some of the finest strops the world has ever seen. I was given a bench strop of his during the holidays and I am using it daily. Pete, thank you very much for sharing this.
In just reading two threads this morning with Japanese themes my day looks much brighter than it did when I woke up. : )

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not trying to "steal your thunder," but the thread that began the 'Kanayama craze' was the result of another member's visit with Naomi-san ........ ;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...light=Kanayama

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No thunder stolen, mate! I actually just met up with Seth here in Akasaka last week, and we were talking about his visit and my plans for a visit! And, in my photo I got Naomi-san to smile! Haha! :D

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Originally Posted by lz6

Pete, thank you very much for sharing this.

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You're more than welcome! It's truly my pleasure!

Here's a video of me stropping my Japanese razor on my Kanayama 8000.

http://youtu.be/K68oiwkPRDo

Good to see the Master Stropmaker looking well!

I've heard so many conflicting reports over the past year or two that I did not know what to think ... Confidence restored!

Cool to see where my Kanayama was born :)

Thank you for sharing

Naomi-san just called. My Kanayama #80000 is ready! I'll be going to pick it up tomorrow afternoon! Pics to follow! :)

Pete, you can ask him to autograph your strop for you. Secondary side of the cordovan.
I was able to order an autographed 80K back when Jim was still selling the Kanoyama's.

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Originally Posted by lz6

Pete, you can ask him to autograph your strop for you. Secondary side of the cordovan.
I was able to order an autographed 80K back when Jim was still selling the Kanoyama's.

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That's a great idea! Thanks!

Well, let's see it.

Don't keep us in the dark too long...

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Originally Posted by ZethLent

Well, let's see it.

Don't keep us in the dark too long...

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I guess you missed THIS thread, Seth! :)

I wonder if this Japanese tannery (Shinki-Hikaku Co.) may be the source for Naomi-sans shell cordovan? I believe they have been in business since the early 1950's?

???? :

Interesting! Frankly, there can't be that many cordovan tanneries in Japan.