Thread: Kanayama/Kanoyama Strop Edited

I came across this thread when looking for info on how to clean my new-to-me Kanayama 70,000. It was very helpful!

Has anyone seen the info on the linen strop on the aframestokyo website? It's hilarious, but interesting. I think I'll just run mine through the washing machine a couple of times.

******PLEASE DO NOT USE THE CANVAS STROP WITHOUT ANY TREAT TO BE SOFTER******

The new canvas strop is very tough and hard cloth, so it might get damage to your razor blade. If you do not have time to do below processes, please take off the canvas strop from leather strop, and wash it in washing machine with softner at least several times like new jeans. The new canvas strop will be softer and it is forgiven the lapping of razor blade.

=====How To Make Softer Canvas Strop=====

It is kind of hard work, but if you will try to do it, please do like below:

Put on body soap (solid one), and wash it away

Put on the canvas strop on the wood board, and pounding with wooden hammer on the round portion of the wood hammer side to kill the tough fibers.

Washing by brush

Rubbing solid body soap

Washing by brush

Wrapping by Nagura to polish the surface of the canvas strop

Washing by washing machine

Drying at shade a couple days

Putting on body soap by brush

Wrapping by beer bottle strongly

Please do the all above processes three times

The Master himself was asked why the canvas strop was so stiff and he said it was the only material he could source in Japan serviceable for a strop. So basically you get it in an unfinished state and it's up to you to complete the process.

I had read this info about pounding it and such too when I got mine. But I used fabric softener and a couple was cycles. I had to reglue the leather piece back on the bottom of it but it works just fine now. As far as the suede part, I do use it, but just for making sure my razor is dry before going to the 70K strop. I used to love the feel of it but now it's not a biggie for me. Just a few laps before the leather and I know my blade is dry.

I have no experience with Kanoyamas newer than..Let's say the 60's.
As to the fabric.
Mine with the fabric have always been great. One I have with the suede is also great. Love that stuff!
One on the left, of course!



Could be they are old, so the fabric becomes limp?

The fabic on yours (Right Side) dont look like the thick stuff I got with mine. Much newer model.

Does anyone out there own or have any experience with the #2196 strop?

According to Fendrihan's It's supposed to have the same type of leather and finish, but be the thinnest one he makes.

Pete <:-}

I have owned a Kanayama 80 and down to a 30 and several in the middle and have used the leather, suede and linen. I personally feel the suede does very little for an edge other then assist in drying the bevel on the post shave, the leather on the 80 seemed a tad to thick.

At first when I started out using Kanayama strops I hated the linen and did pretty much anything to keep from using it but now as several years have passed and my edges have gotten so much better I just have an older Kanayama 30 with linen and no suede, the linen at first was so course but I continued to used it and as the many months have passed it has softened quite a lot and does what I need it to do but then again I also don’t over think stropping anymore, I do 25/25 on linen/leather for preshave and 10/10 on the post shave and that’s all I ever do for stropping regardless of strop used on razor used, I used to really obsess on stropping doing countless reps but figured if I had to do that much stropping I did something wrong during my honing process but that’s me.

Originally Posted by joelkerr

I came across this thread when looking for info on how to clean my new-to-me Kanayama 70,000. It was very helpful!

Has anyone seen the info on the linen strop on the aframestokyo website? It's hilarious, but interesting. I think I'll just run mine through the washing machine a couple of times.

******PLEASE DO NOT USE THE CANVAS STROP WITHOUT ANY TREAT TO BE SOFTER******

The new canvas strop is very tough and hard cloth, so it might get damage to your razor blade. If you do not have time to do below processes, please take off the canvas strop from leather strop, and wash it in washing machine with softner at least several times like new jeans. The new canvas strop will be softer and it is forgiven the lapping of razor blade.

=====How To Make Softer Canvas Strop=====

It is kind of hard work, but if you will try to do it, please do like below:

Put on body soap (solid one), and wash it away

Put on the canvas strop on the wood board, and pounding with wooden hammer on the round portion of the wood hammer side to kill the tough fibers.

Washing by brush

Rubbing solid body soap

Washing by brush

Wrapping by Nagura to polish the surface of the canvas strop

Washing by washing machine

Drying at shade a couple days

Putting on body soap by brush

Wrapping by beer bottle strongly

Please do the all above processes three times

I can share my method.
Take a plastic bin. Add water and liquid detergent. Soak linen with the leather end sticking out of water. It will get wet eventually but it doesnt harm the leather.
Soak for 4-6 hours then scrub, wash with hose.
This time I added little pounding with a rubber mallet for fun.
Back to clear water and let soak.
Take out, rest flat and let dry. Eventually I hang it to finish the drying process.
Once dry run it on a rolling pin and you are done.
Fairly simple and it works every time.

Personally, I wouldn't let the Kanayama fabric strop anywhere near any of my razors. It's way too stiff and coarse. Maybe after treatment but I have a few vintage linen strops that are just leagues better than his.