Thread: Kanayama strops difference?

Originally Posted by CaySea

The linen strop provided is very stiff and I do not really care for it at all.

+1. But I read some suggestions to wash it and one run through the machine, with a load of clothes, air dry, and it is like butter.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

+1. But I read some suggestions to wash it and one run through the machine, with a load of clothes, air dry, and it is like butter.

Will give it a shot. Thanks.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

+1. But I read some suggestions to wash it and one run through the machine, with a load of clothes, air dry, and it is like butter.

Hehe, you suggested it to me. I did it and now it is very soft and flexible.

Mine is in the "air dry" stage right now. Will keep you posted.

Caysea,
I see you bought your #70000 from Fendrihan. To support what Jimmy and others have said, if you look at the AframesTokyo site, there is a lengthy procedure mapped out as to how Kanoyama suggest you treat the canvas. I think a sensible method can be found to make the strop good to go. So just log onto a description of say a
#10000 and read in the description of their method of softening the canvas. Like you when I 1st got one I stayed with my Classic Shaving linen piece for a week and now it's either or for me.

This is from the AframesTokyo site:

=====How To Make Softer Canvas Strop=====

It is kind of hard work, but if you will try to do it, please do like below:

Put on body soap (solid one), and wash it away

Put on the canvas strop on the wood board, and pounding with wooden hammer on the round portion of the wood hammer side to kill the tough fibers.

Washing by brush

Rubbing solid body soap

Washing by brush

Wrapping by Nagura to polish the surface of the canvas strop

Washing by washing machine

Drying at shade a couple days

Putting on body soap by brush

Wrapping by beer bottle strongly

Please do the all above processes three times

I went the washing machine route before I read this. I did not beat it with a stick or anything, but am not opposed to alternate methods if there is no change noticed. On the process above I stopped reading where it ends above. I am sure there must have been some ritual with the beer, incense, and a chant that was required between each of the three iterations of the process but if I actually do this you will know two things. 1) I had an exceptionally boring weekend with absolutely nothing to do, read, or sleep through, and 2) I am an idiot for not simply using my Neil Miller linen strop. :-)

I washed mine twice and it did the trick. I wouldn't use the method above, too lengthy and it'll do the same.

I think using the AframesTokyo method could possibly make the linen become bad and mean ...........

Agree. Mine had a brief scrub with detergent and a brush, then two trips through the wash cycles on the machine, with a little fabric softener. All I had to do then was to re-apply the leather tag at the end of the strop.. My point though is that, the 'instructions' are a guide. I wouldn't hit mine with a hammer, but at least we are on the same page. Because out of the box the canvas is way to hard to put a razor on IMO.

Ok...here is the update. After the first machine washing with a load of towels, it still seemed too stiff for my tastes. I did a bar soap lather up (Scottish Fine Soap to be exact) and washed it pretty vigorously with a stiff nylon hand/fingernail brush, and washed again with a couple of towels and fabric softener. I reattached the metal clip and glued the leather tag back on and tried it. I am not sure that "butter" is the descriptor I would use. Better yes......butter no. JMHO