I am sorry that your experience with Tony was not favorably resolved. I bought my hierloom strop several years ago. It hangs next to my Kanayama 30000 and is used interchangeably. I had an excellent phone call with Tony at the time and I am very pleased with his product. I do experience a difference in the draw between the two strops. But I'll use sandpaper, Ballistol and Renaissance wax on both of them in addition to lots of hand rubbing to maintain each at the peak that suits my purpose.