Thread: Anyone know any good European strop companies?

I'm look for a vintage European strop and wonder if any of you guys had suggestions and any to avoid. One last thing i forgot to mention I'm on kinda of a small budget.

Why a European Strop when some of the best vintage strops ever made were done in the good old USA?

Idk just kinda thought a Euro one would be just as good and more unique.

When I first started out in this thing I collected strops and my goal was to have a strop from every critter that ever walked, crawled, swam or ran and I had a lot and every one was U.S made and to tell you the truth I don't recall ever seeing a strop that said it was made outside the U.S though strops weren't marked as to origin as I recall. They might say "scotch shell" or "russia" but that has nothing to do with origin.

You might try Eboy international sites.

Only overseas strop I know of that goes back to vintage is the Japanese Kanayama. Still making them in medium priced to high priced, but some of their older stuff is found on the bay once in awhile, and from what I've heard, they’re all good. The thing with vintage strops, I've got a half dozen, like any normal person, is condition. If it is old and dried out, cracked and what have you it ain't a bargain at any price.

Many fine strops both from here and abroad advertise the use of Horween shell cordovan and other fine grades of leather. If ya didn't know that stuff comes from good old Chicago, USA. So foreign aint so foreign after all.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Many fine strops both from here and abroad advertise the use of Horween shell cordovan and other fine grades of leather. If ya didn't know that stuff comes from good old Chicago, USA. So foreign aint so foreign after all.

Good to know seems like then maybe i should just go with Illinois strop.

Good ole 827 Illinois been around a long time and won't break the bank when you cut it up. Tc

Kindal was making quite unique paddle strops.

I've got one with an ivory handle, with scrimshaw work on it, one side classical leather, other side cordovan.

I know there were also quality leather from Russia, but I don't know if they were manufacturing strops or only raw materials.

Otherwise, Illinois seemed to have producted top quality strops indeed, and japanese Kanayama is just as fine.

Edit : if you want me to check, I could ask the owner of the actual Kindal shop in Paris, she is selling old stock products, quite expensive but untouched goods.

Scrupleworks, Westholme, and Neil Miller all come to mind. Top quality strops makers. I am sure people from England stropped their blades too. At least I am reasonably sure.