Thread: Westholme strop

Originally Posted by Jnatcat

I have used both Kanayama and Westholme Cordovan side by side and the Westholme is a tad more glassy compared to Kanayama but both impart a very keen edge, the Kanayama seems to be a bit more resilient to scuffs and scrapes compared to Westholmes cordovan but according to Alastair the cordovan that Kanayama uses is processed differently than the Horween cordovan he uses for his strops.

The last bit is a bit puzzling, to me at least. IIRC from Neil Millers postings, shell Cordovan leather is leather from two small areas on a horse's rump that was processed a specific way in Cordoba Spain. That method of tanning was brought to the Cordoba region of Spain by the Moors. That particular tanning process is what makes it shell Cordovan leather. If it is processed differently is it then really shell Cordovan?

Bob

Your right Bob, Kanayama is Shell but not Cordovan as the tanning process is different. I thought it was the other away around as Naomi San uses very thick Shell, Horweens is about 1/2 the thickness.

I have both Westholme Shell and a Kanayama, I love both of them, both have a very fast, slick draw, the Kanayama more so for me, like skating on ice.
If I had to give the nod to one it would be the Kanayama simply because Naomi San processes the Shell himself.
Kanayama is a very simple strop, straight cut with no beveled edge and cheap hardware but barbers used these simple strops for years. The Westholme is a very well made strop and craftsmanship excellent. The thing with Alistairs strops is he can talyor it to your preference and budget.
Bottom line is I love both of them!

What about the new Westholme material - heavy horse fronts?
Who used it?
From the Westholme facebook: "Here is a new material that I'm now offering - heavy horse fronts. This is another Horween Leather Company product, and I haven't stopped using this test strop that I made for myself.
These hides are full grain and tanned to produce an oiled & waxy leather.
Left alone, the leather needs a little bit of a warming (vigorous palm rub) to bring out the best prior to stropping a razor. But I treated a piece of the leather with a light coat of neatsfoot oil, and the result is the darker appearance that you see in this test strop. The result is amazing. A supple strop with a draw just on the heavier side of medium. I love it, and its become my favourite strop by some distance."

what can I say, I have been using my Wedtholme Starter for a little over a fortnight and it is a wonderful thing, I wasn't sure if I'd like working with the 'Barber's End' on the strop, but I actually think I prefer it.

Originally Posted by Navarrsky

What about the new Westholme material - heavy horse fronts?
Who used it?
From the Westholme facebook: "Here is a new material that I'm now offering - heavy horse fronts. This is another Horween Leather Company product, and I haven't stopped using this test strop that I made for myself.
These hides are full grain and tanned to produce an oiled & waxy leather.
Left alone, the leather needs a little bit of a warming (vigorous palm rub) to bring out the best prior to stropping a razor. But I treated a piece of the leather with a light coat of neatsfoot oil, and the result is the darker appearance that you see in this test strop. The result is amazing. A supple strop with a draw just on the heavier side of medium. I love it, and its become my favourite strop by some distance."

I have what I believe to be the first one Alastair has produced, other than his test strop!
The leather has a grainy texture and takes a little while to run in from a very plastic initial feel, once run in it is amazing, a medium to heavy draw which will not suit many
This is my actual strop.
I also have a Kanayama 60k which is has a glassy feel compared to the DHF and a Westholme starter strop which is between the two.
The quality of the hardware on Alastairs strop is beyond comparison making the Kanayama look cheep.
I opted for tabs on both surfaces to prevent cupping but they also help in keeping the tension on the strop, again compared to the Kanayama with a very flimsy tab only on the second surface.
I'm delighted with it and quite happy to try to answer any further questions.
Mike.