Thread: New Kanayama - Surface imperfections

Originally Posted by PuFFaH

I would like to know how $300 can buy you a better strop. Does it do all the work for you? I have only ever and I never use it much because I have old strops that out perform it in every way....Kana's are hyped up imo. ��

I've had plenty of strops in my time and none are like that one. It really is different. Does it do a better job? No it doesn't but it's like everything else in life. You pay your money to get quality in places that are important to you. Otherwise we would all be driving around in Yugos.

Originally Posted by KrytonsJaw

I do agree, it's not a bargain price for a strop. But when his high end strops are over $300, it makes $100 feel like a bargain!

Another thing to take into consideration is that a dollar is worth about a dime. That is the real deal if you're 65 and remember when a buck was worth $0.75. You'd have to be maybe 120 to remember when it was worth a buck.

A # 3 is at the lower end of his production. If you bought an 80,000 and it had some imperfections in the finish I would say you had a reason to complain. Not that there should be imperfections in a $100 strop, but at least it gets the job done.

Ordered one today. Really excited about owning one. I will let you know how mine looks upon arrival.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Another thing to take into consideration is that a dollar is worth about a dime. That is the real deal if you're 65 and remember when a buck was worth $0.75. You'd have to be maybe 120 to remember when it was worth a buck.

A # 3 is at the lower end of his production. If you bought an 80,000 and it had some imperfections in the finish I would say you had a reason to complain. Not that there should be imperfections in a $100 strop, but at least it gets the job done.

I recall, back in the day we used to say "not worth a continental" that's how little a buck was worth. We had to beg the redcoats for just about everything.

I have both the #3 and the 90,000 and the quality of the strop is the same. The 3 is thinner and shorter and doesn't come with the sueded strop but the pre strop is actually thicker than what came with the 90,000 which I got years later.

But if you want the best you have to preorder the 1,000,000 model. It's so thick Jimmy used to use it to throw hot rivets around. He made a sling out of it like the one David used to take care of Goliath.

Mine arrived today and exceeded my expectations. Pure luxury for around $100 shipped

Originally Posted by AntiqueHoosier

Mine arrived today and exceeded my expectations. Pure luxury for around $100 shipped

I love my 80000. It just seems to elevate the experience to a diff level. Depends on what you get pleasure from out of this hobby. Part myth + part real = awesome.

Me, I obtained one of Jim's last 50K strops and the leather is wonderful. Would I do it again?? I do not know.
~Richard

A lot of good points ... on both sides.

I have a #3. It's a very nice strop! My one beef, and for myself, it's an important one, is that I'd much prefer natural linen as a second component. And this is the point that keeps me from shelling out the coin for an expensive K strop.
I've got a Neil Miller, shell cordovan and natural linen in the length and width I like, made to my specs, and it's all the strop I'll ever need. As a matter of fact, if I was twenty years younger, I'd by an extra, exactly the same from Neil ... Just in case of the unlikely event, I managed to wear the original out.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've had plenty of strops in my time and none are like that one. It really is different. Does it do a better job? No it doesn't but it's like everything else in life. You pay your money to get quality in places that are important to you. Otherwise we would all be driving around in Yugos.

The kanayama 80k I had was like eating premium ice cream vs. eating frozen flavored ice (much smoother). I have strops that are broken in that do a little better than my 80k kanayama, but comparing a glazed up horse butt strop with 750 strop sessions on it to a brand new razor isn't fair. I'm sure had I kept the kanayama, it would've developed that slickness on the surface and been heavenly and super.

Plus, it's shell. Where else is anyone going to get new shell cordovan? I really like cheap horse butt strip if a clear section can be found, but it's rough until it's broken in, which probably takes 2500 strokes. Before that, it marks a razor a little bit.

The kanayama premium stuff is very fine, and unlike some of the dissenters seem to be implying, not by any means a $100 strop with a $300 price tag.