Thread: Kanayama - has the quality changed?

I have had my eye on a Kanayama strop for sometime now but I read somewhere that the quality may not be the same as it was a few years ago, is there any truth it that? I noticed the logo has changed from what it used to be? Correct me if I'm wrong. Also is it worth buying the higher grade models that come with the suede piece? Thanks.

Yo can't speak for more than 2 years back, but mine is as good a quality as you get anywhere,naps to the higher end models , it's mostly just thicker stock and some longer, I got the suede with the #3 and as for logos, it's changed with different models also. , but you won't go wrong with a Kanayama. Tc

I like the suede, some dont. It's not necessary but it feels so nice . Any kanyama is going to be top notch, so I would just go as high in quality as you can afford. For some that's the #3, for me it was the 90000. I've never heard of this quality issue, and I doubt it has any truth to it.

I haven't seen any reports the quality has changed.

I think he has used a number of logos over the years.

The higher grade models are exactly the same as the basics quality wise. They are just longer, wider and thicker and have the suede piece. I own the number 3 and the number 90000 and they perform exactly the same. The suede piece is nice and is a bonus however I don't think it is reason by itself to buy the highest end strop.

Of course if you are someone who has to have the best then the 90000 is the one for you.

I have a #3 that's a couple of years old and a #60000 that I've had for about 3 weeks. The quality on both is top-notch and you will not find better leather anywhere.

Doubtful the quality has changed, however, leather can be different from piece to piece. I buy leather several times a year for strop making and other projects. Every hide/animal is different, often people don't understand this when purchasing leather goods. I'll shop for weeks or months to find the right leather for a specific project. Just picked up some Horween Cordovan, haven't seen a piece that nice in about a year.

There is an influential gent that used to handle the Kanayama strops. He is based in the Orient and had a relationship with Naomi San himself. If memory serves, he may have been the sole source for Kanayama strops at that time.
Over time, he used to opine that the maker was getting on in years, and that quality was slipping, so buy your strop now. I cannot speak to the issue if there was any validity to the claims made. Just a historical note ..

I love my Kanayama #3, but I dumped the suede component and had Torolf make a natural linen secondary. Now it is sheer perfection!

Originally Posted by Justino14

I have had my eye on a Kanayama strop for sometime now but I read somewhere that the quality may not be the same as it was a few years ago, is there any truth it that?

I don't know what the deal is currently. I have an 80,000 which is probably a great strop, it is from about 5 years ago, but it is too nice for me to use it ......

Here is the blurb from the guy that used to be the USA go between ......... http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...tml#post914107

Yup, was aost a year before I had the heart to use my kanyama 90000, and even now I only use it for my top razors on special occasions.

Originally Posted by prodigy

Yup, was aost a year before I had the heart to use my kanyama 90000, and even now I only use it for my top razors on special occasions.

I've got a few other strops I never use. My old SRP premium 1, and Tony Miller horse are all scuffed and nicked up, work great, and why do that to my 'special' strops ? I have stropped with the 80,000 a few times, but with special attention and care.