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03-30-2016, 01:10 AM #1
Vintage "Russia Shell" strop [+hardware questions]
Pickup up a vintage "Russia Shell" strop off of eBay.
more pics: Russia Shell Strop - Album on Imgur
I assume "Russia shell" indicates a pre-Russian Revolution origin?
There was a slight crack on the back near the "hand" end, which I patched with some superglue:
Does anyone know where one might obtain brass hardware for the "far" end? I mean, it works currently to hook through the hole, but it would be nicer to have the hardware on.
Last edited by benhunt; 03-30-2016 at 01:10 AM. Reason: added pic
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03-30-2016, 01:52 AM #2
Nice vintage strop. AFAIK the term Russia, or Russian, refers to the curing method, and to the cross hatched pattern on the back side of the strop. My guess is that strop was made in the USA in spite of the Russia Shell branding. Other that scoring an old strop with hardware in poor condition (cheaply) I don't know about brass hardware. Some of the shaving suppliers might have new production hangers.
For rejuvenating the strop see this post by Euclid440 ; http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ml#post1609889Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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03-30-2016, 02:06 AM #3
Thanks! I have actually rejuvenated it since those photos - a bit of mink oil and then a bit of lather. Seems to have worked well, it feels pretty pliable now.
AFAIK the term Russia, or Russian, refers to the curing method, and to the cross hatched pattern on the back side of the strop. My guess is that strop was made in the USA in spite of the Russia Shell branding.
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03-30-2016, 03:08 AM #4
That is my guess. Here are a couple of oldies but goodies I have that are stamped Russia. Notice the flip sides have the cross hatch pattern that I understand is characteristic of 'Russian' strops, and the USA manufacturers. Checking another half dozen vintage strops I have (like any normal person) none of them are marked Russian, though some are marked shell, and none have the cross hatch on the back side of the leather. Another American company, Certifyd, that made the famed 'Red Imp', among many others, had a strop with the exact same Russian logo as the F.W. Engles pictured, and the cross hatching. I had one many years ago, but don't know where it ended up. Chances are Certifyd made the Engles strop, and maybe the Wester Bros too ! Anyway ...... I doubt they came from Russia. I could be wrong though, I was wrong once before.
Last edited by JimmyHAD; 03-30-2016 at 03:10 AM.
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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The Following User Says Thank You to JimmyHAD For This Useful Post:
benhunt (03-30-2016)
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03-30-2016, 03:29 AM #5
Very interesting. Thanks for the additional info & photos. The one I've got seems like a pretty good strop once I'd restored it a bit. Feels a bit different than any of my cow-hide strops.
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03-30-2016, 03:43 AM #6
Here is a post by the late Neil Miller, who probably knew more about strops/leather than anyone I've ever talked with ;
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ml#post1508775
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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The Following User Says Thank You to JimmyHAD For This Useful Post:
benhunt (03-30-2016)
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03-30-2016, 03:45 AM #7
- Join Date
- Jul 2015
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- Central Oregon
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Thanked: 98Hi Ben, I did notice on Ebay that some of the vendors strip strops and sell the hardware separate, yeah, I know, slimy buggers some of the sellers.
How about Making your own hardware? I have some brass casting to do, maybe I'll throw in a couple of quick made patterns and see if they turn out "wanted" or not.
Some good Oak or other hardwood and a screw with nut and you are in business. Good Hunting.
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03-30-2016, 04:05 AM #8
Thanks for pointing me to that. Fascinating info. I'm now curious to see what a Russian-made "Russia shell" would be like...
I assume the "Russia shell" I got should be actual (horse) shell, but I don't know how to tell for certain. (I have an Illinois cow-hide strop which has a horse head image on it....not literally false advertising, but certainly misleading). Figured this vintage "Russia shell" was worth $7 in any case....
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03-30-2016, 04:06 AM #9
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03-30-2016, 04:23 AM #10
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Location
- Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
- Posts
- 1,333
Thanked: 351Search google.com for "KANOYAMA Strop Replacement Clip Hardware" and you should find at least one seller of new Kanoyama clips. Unfortunately, they are not the half-moon type that your strop originally had.
Whipped Dog has square ones available, but no half-moon style.
Regards
Christian"Aw nuts, now I can't remember what I forgot!" --- Kaptain "Champion of lost causes" Zero
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The Following User Says Thank You to kaptain_zero For This Useful Post:
benhunt (03-30-2016)