Thread: Kanayama strops difference?

Originally Posted by KsStraightShaver

Ok guys so I just received my kanayama 2196 as I stated I was going to purchase it to see what the differences/defects were if any, well there are defects.

First off there are what look like cuts on the back of the strop which were sanded so thin that it affects the stropping side of the leather because it has dips, the leather is nowhere near as smooth or soft as the other kanayama I have it's kinda scratchy actually, the strop itself is so thin you can actually see the stamps on the backside through the leather.

Pic1 full rear

Pic2 close up of sanded area

Pic3 dips in front of strop from sanded area in rear

Pic4 full front

Pic5 front under hanger

If you are not happy with it, return it. I wouldn't keep it if it was not up to standard.

I agree, if it's showing signs of physical defects, then maybe email them, see if other stock exists, and I can't imagine after seeing your photos, that you would not get a refund or exchange. It clearly isn't up to scratch. $89 not over expensive, but, either way, you don't sell products with obvious defects, especially on the stropping surface, even in a pic on the net you can see it's patchy. Not right. I am surprised though that it was passed as OK, as my Kanayama's are spotless, in perfect condition, archival quality.

Just an update on the Availability of Kanayama strops. Re AframesTokyo I conversed with Takeshi Aoki as to when he will have more strops. He said that maybe in two months. He also said he doesn't believe he could source separate pieces. (I wanted a suede piece) So he has only the #10000. JNS has the #50000 and the #20000, once again no word on when stock may become available. The only other stockist is Fendrihan's who have the #2196 #6300 #30000 #50000 #70000 and the #80000. None could as I mentioned give any indications, accurately on a date of re-supply.

Sorry guys wasn't getting notifications that you guys had responded. Yes I emailed them about a a return they asked for photos then informed me of how to return it so I will an once they've recieved it I will pay the difference on another higher end kanayama.

I honestly couldn't believe how bad the defects were in it or that they actually tried to pass it onto a customer it's bad but they are doing the right thing which is nice so I will purchase another an be happy other than the wait.

Hi Ks, just to let you know, that if you were intending to perhaps upgrade to a higher end strop. The only one's that come with the suede piece is the #70000 and the #80000 and the (#90k which is out of stock). I got the #70000 for that reason, and to be honest I would suggest the #70000 because the #80000 is a lot more expensive, and from my view you are paying say $80 extra for a case to store the strop in. I just leave mine hung up, can't really say I'd ever use a case. You can probably tell from my many posts on this subject, that I've really looked into these strops, and IMHO the #70000 is the best specified strop in their range. It is my everyday strop and is top class. Bob

Yeah I would like the 70k or 80k but I don't know about spending that much I may just go with the 30k or 50k an wait on the suede showing back up to purchase it separately.

Originally Posted by KsStraightShaver

Yeah I would like the 70k or 80k but I don't know about spending that much I may just go with the 30k or 50k an wait on the suede showing back up to purchase it separately.

That's what I did for my everyday Kani. I got a 30k and purchased the suede. It works like a charm.

Yeah I have one 30k already that's why I mentioned the 50k it's only 40$ more an I'll have two different models instead of two of the same an that's the only reason I'm thinking of the 50k.

I thought about purchasing the 6300 but with the defects that were in the 2196 it kida scares me I don't want to order it just to find out its of poor quality also an have to send it back just to have to order the 30 or 50 anyways.

I've seen the #10000 and the #70000, side by side (the primary cordovan strop pieces). There is very little difference, a few mm, which does feel a little more sturdy, the #70000. I made a few inquiries about getting a suede piece for the #10000. No luck as yet. But my strop addiction has led me to having a 3 inch latigo CS Mountain strop with a heavy draw, still a good strop. I have four or five various others as well as a #10000 Kanayama, and two #70000 Kanayamas. I'd say I'm about covered right now in the strop department....lol, some mornings I wake up and look over at my strop rack, and whisper to myself, 'There must have been a compelling reason for owning these strops, when I remember it, I'll be the 1st to know!' Of all the strops I've owned I still have them all but the one I used when I first started Str8t shaving, Lets just say, it got a little bit chopped up.

So all this talk made me decide to try one myself. My favorite strop recently has been a Neil Miller cordovan/linen. I own a few of Neil's strops and miss both his craftsmanship, and knowledge/wit on the forum. I opted to try the #70K which I purchased from Fendrihan's. I have been using it for about a month and have made the following observations. The linen strop provided is very stiff and I do not really care for it at all. I have a strop from Classic Shaving that has a coarse cotton strop that I like better, but I find myself always wanting to use the Neil Miller linen.

When it comes to the soft leather strop on the #70K, it is very nice. I have been using it sort of as an intermediate step between the linen and the finish strop. I do fewer strokes on the linen, then the soft leather, then the finish. I am not sure if this regimen meets the approval of the experts, but it seems to work well for me. I find the finish strop to be nothing less than excellent. I like that it is a bit firmer than the cordovan strops I have been using, and I have used it on a variety of my razors with stellar results.

I must qualify this post by saying that I am far from being an expert, but that these are simply my observations. YMMV