Thread: Kanayama strops difference?

Kanayama #70000 arrived today. I bought it from Fendrihans, Ontario. 1st thing I noticed was the exceptional attention to detail, everything was perfect. The razor strop side was silky smooth and consistently blemish free, and no areas differing from their others. The suede piece is a thing of some beauty. The canvas piece, which is held separately from the suede/strop in it's own clasp, makes prepping the canvas piece the way suggested by Kanayama easier. I stropped up a razor and did an HHT. To be truthful, most stops would pass that test, but the slick feel and feedback of the Kanayama is truly something to experience. Fine strop indeed. Bob

Some of you may be interested in picture of varying thickness' of Kanayama primary strop leather. The picture represents the entire line of strops available at that time and obviously there is one thickness that represents several of the different models in the lower ranges.

Originally Posted by bobski

Kanayama #70000 arrived today. I bought it from Fendrihans, Ontario. 1st thing I noticed was the exceptional attention to detail, everything was perfect. The razor strop side was silky smooth and consistently blemish free, and no areas differing from their others. The suede piece is a thing of some beauty. The canvas piece, which is held separately from the suede/strop in it's own clasp, makes prepping the canvas piece the way suggested by Kanayama easier. I stropped up a razor and did an HHT. To be truthful, most stops would pass that test, but the slick feel and feedback of the Kanayama is truly something to experience. Fine strop indeed. Bob

I have had a 90,000 which I sold because it was too nice to use. Regretted that and bought an 80,000 from a friend who thought it was too nice to use. Came with the suede and the separately hung fabric. Say that to say, if there was any info on fabric prep from K I didn't see it.

The fabric was stiff as a board and I rarely used it. (used the linen from another strop) Eventually I took Birnando's advice and washed the Kanayma linen. I did it in the washing machine along with a load of clothes. Let it air dry hanging and it is now nice and soft. BTW, the 80,000 was too nice for me to use for a long time, but I finally broke down and began using it........... great strop for sure.

Your right, the canvas is tough when 1st handled. I scrubbed it with soap and water, rinsed it and hung it out. I'd say now, it is almost identical in feel from a couple of other strops I have with similar canvas pieces. So washing helps, but I couldn't say it is 'soft', it still has a 'zing' as you whip your razor over it. But the leather pieces, the suede and strop will no doubt cause me some angst, not wanting to nick it, as they are a sight to behold. I'll know in a half hour when I give it a go. fingers crossed ..lol

A lot of folks believe the Kanoyama secondary strop was there to provide some backbone for the primary leather strop with both held together. It was to prevent stretching the leather. I never did ask Jim Rion about that.

Originally Posted by lz6

A lot of folks believe the Kanoyama secondary strop was there to provide some backbone for the primary leather strop with both held together. It was to prevent stretching the leather. I never did ask Jim Rion about that.

That would make sense to me. When I use mine that's what I do.

I own the #3 and the 60,000.

I remember reading somewhere that the maker clarified that the secondary strop (the suede) is to be used as a very slightly lower grit (if grit is even the correct term for these smooth strops...) before the smooth main strop. Kind of like a prep to clean the edge before the final finishing of the smoothest one. But if it helps your stropping to hold them together then go right ahead! Whatever works for you. I actually sold my suede component and kept my "canvas" component, after washing it and brushing the heck out of it with a wire brush. It's still hard as all heck...

But the smoothness of the #3 strop is something to be experienced.

I've never been one to use a progression of strops. Linen/leather has been my routine. So when I got the suede component I thought it was mighty nice, but I didn't bother with it. Of course just as I thought the 90,000 was too nice to use, after regretting selling it, and buying the friend's extra 80,000, I felt the same way.

I probably haven't stropped on it more than half a dozen times in over a year or two. This thread, amongst a couple of others, has inspired me, and now I am using it. All three components. I used it tonight and it does feel really nice through the razor.

The linen was so hard when I got it that it scared me. I figured it might micro chip an edge. There was a thread about it and Birnando advised washing it a few times. I thought about it and wondered if it wasn't supposed to be like a board, so I didn't do it at first. I finally broke down and one run through the machine with a bit of Tide and a load of clothes, and it is just right.

It isn't a noodle, but it is soft and nice to strop on. If it was still stiff I'd wash it again. Most all the old pro linens on my vintage strops are soft like this is now.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've never been one to use a progression of strops. Linen/leather has been my routine. So when I got the suede component I thought it was mighty nice, but I didn't bother with it. Of course just as I thought the 90,000 was too nice to use, after regretting selling it, and buying the friend's extra 80,000, I felt the same way.

I probably haven't stropped on it more than half a dozen times in over a year or two. This thread, amongst a couple of others, has inspired me, and now I am using it. All three components. I used it tonight and it does feel really nice through the razor.

The linen was so hard when I got it that it scared me. I figured it might micro chip an edge. There was a thread about it and Birnando advised washing it a few times. I thought about it and wondered if it wasn't supposed to be like a board, so I didn't do it at first. I finally broke down and one run through the machine with a bit of Tide and a load of clothes, and it is just right.

It isn't a noodle, but it is soft and nice to strop on. If it was still stiff I'd wash it again. Most all the old pro linens on my vintage strops are soft like this is now.

Did you used cold, warm, or hot water? Thanks!

Originally Posted by hrfdez

Did you used cold, warm, or hot water? Thanks!

I've got the washer set on warm. In the past I've washed vintage linens that came lumpy/dirty in a bucket with cold water and Woolite. This worked well enough, but one day I got lazy and washed a vintage one in the machine along with a load of clothes. Came out fine, so I took a gamble with the Kanayama. The one thing I won't chance is the dryer. I let it hang and air dry.