strop identification

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11-08-2016, 01:38 AM
prodigy

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strop identification

Hello gents. I have a llama brand strop that i thought was a kanayama. It has an identical llama brand stamp at the top. however its numbered 928, and the name featured on the bottom is a US based company from Maryland. I thought for sure the llama stamp meant it was an authentic kanayama, but have been informed that this may not be the case. I thought i read somewhere that naomi san made his strops for other companies to brand and sell. Anyone have any helpful insight into this predicament? I can post better pictures later if needed. Its about 5mm thick at the top and gets thinner towards the bottom, roughly 3mm. The back side of the leather looks similar to the backside of my 90000, as far as looks and finish. Also, it was meantioned to me that the hardware used was suspicious, and it does say "made in USA" on the hanging hook.
Attachment 249319 Attachment 249320
11-08-2016, 04:03 PM
Panama60

I can't help with the identification, but I would like to comment on the phrase "made in USA". Punch-Lok
(a subsidiary of Parrish Ent.) stamps their tools with month, year, Punch-Lok and "Made in USA" right after
the "Made in Taiwan" sticker is peeled off. I have a couple of friends (from the Dart League) that work part
time at Wally World, part of their job is to put "Made in USA" stickers on items made in Asia. I don't trust
that phrase anymore.
11-08-2016, 04:35 PM
thebigspendur

Unless he copyrighted the "llama" anyone can use it. If it was his, the leather itself should give it away.
11-08-2016, 04:43 PM
JimmyHAD

Maybe this thread, which started the Kanayma craze on SRP, will have something you can go with ? The first post addresses his branding for different entities. :gl:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...strop-man.html
11-08-2016, 05:27 PM
prodigy

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Maybe this thread, which started the Kanayma craze on SRP, will have something you can go with ? The first post addresses his branding for different entities. :gl:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...strop-man.html

Yea I looked through that thread. Those strops are all in new condition. It looks and feels like an authentic one to me. I was questioned on its authenticity, and don't have any verifiable proof. Are people making counterfeit vintage leather strops with the llama brand registered trademark, probably not.
11-08-2016, 05:30 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by prodigy

Yea I looked through that thread. Those strops are all in new condition. It looks and feels like an authentic one to me. I was questioned on its authenticity, and don't have any verifiable proof. Are people making counterfeit vintage leather strops with the llama brand registered trademark, probably not.

I don't think anyone would go to the trouble of counterfeiting strops, or razors. That USA made hanger might not be original. Might have been added later.
11-08-2016, 05:31 PM
prodigy

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Unless he copyrighted the "llama" anyone can use it. If it was his, the leather itself should give it away.

I don't know where to even start looking up that information. I know that it's a high quality strop regardless of who it's maker was. Just wasn't sure on if I should call it a kanayama or not.
11-08-2016, 06:01 PM
sqzbxr

For what it's worth, I have seen several 'Llama' branded strops on both eBay and Etsy that were clearly antiques and not Kanayamas.
11-08-2016, 06:06 PM
prodigy

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

For what it's worth, I have seen several 'Llama' branded strops on both eBay and Etsy that were clearly antiques and not Kanayamas.

But kanayama have been making strops for 150 years. So an antique one could be authentic...
11-08-2016, 06:43 PM
sqzbxr

But they had different maker's names stamped onto the bottom ends, all in the U.S., and no mention of Kanayama.
11-08-2016, 06:52 PM
prodigy

I guess I'm just confusing myself. It's a top of the line quality strop. That's all that really matters.
11-12-2016, 01:11 PM
Slawman

My Koken shell strop was made in Scotland & they were proud of that. My Jager Barber Supply Shell strop has no listing of where it was made but it has a very fine draw & I don't care where it was made. They are both great vintage strops that I use every day.
If your strop works for you why worry where it was made??

Slawman
11-12-2016, 11:14 PM
lz6

Quote:

Originally Posted by prodigy

Hello gents. I have a llama brand strop that i thought was a kanayama. It has an identical llama brand stamp at the top. however its numbered 928, and the name featured on the bottom is a US based company from Maryland. I thought for sure the llama stamp meant it was an authentic kanayama, but have been informed that this may not be the case. I thought i read somewhere that naomi san made his strops for other companies to brand and sell. Anyone have any helpful insight into this predicament? I can post better pictures later if needed. Its about 5mm thick at the top and gets thinner towards the bottom, roughly 3mm. The back side of the leather looks similar to the backside of my 90000, as far as looks and finish. Also, it was meantioned to me that the hardware used was suspicious, and it does say "made in USA" on the hanging hook.

Kanayama (Kanoyama) made strops for many different sellers worldwide. Just as you see straights with company/corporate names on them there were many Kanayama's just like the one in your picture. I believe you do have a Kanayama strop pictured and what your picture shows of the actual leather looks like his work.
This link shows many of the "Brands" associated with Kanayama strops.

Kanayama Strop Variations | Eastern Smooth
11-13-2016, 12:27 AM
Brontosaurus

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

For what it's worth, I have seen several 'Llama' branded strops on both eBay and Etsy that were clearly antiques and not Kanayamas.

Yep. I've got one. A good ol' American barber's strop, stamped "H.M.C. Cutlery, New Bedford, Mass." The OP's seems to be in better shape than mine as received, which required a bit of resurfacing. Great strop though. Good find!
11-13-2016, 01:19 AM
prodigy

Quote:

Originally Posted by lz6

Kanayama (Kanoyama) made strops for many different sellers worldwide. Just as you see straights with company/corporate names on them there were many Kanayama's just like the one in your picture. I believe you do have a Kanayama strop pictured and what your picture shows of the actual leather looks like his work.
This link shows many of the "Brands" associated with Kanayama strops.

Kanayama Strop Variations | Eastern Smooth

Thank you. This is exactly as I perceived it.
11-13-2016, 03:08 AM
Brontosaurus

3 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lz6

Kanayama (Kanoyama) made strops for many different sellers worldwide. Just as you see straights with company/corporate names on them there were many Kanayama's just like the one in your picture. I believe you do have a Kanayama strop pictured and what your picture shows of the actual leather looks like his work.
This link shows many of the "Brands" associated with Kanayama strops.

Kanayama Strop Variations | Eastern Smooth

That's interesting, because "BRAND" as stamped on my vintage piece is finer than the Kanayama examples as shown in the link; and instead of "REG. TRD. MARK" beneath the llama representation, "SOUTH AMERICAN CAMEL" is stamped there. Corners at the bottom of the strop are also a little more square-cut than in the OP's example. (Mine is shown as received below.)

Attachment 249695

Attachment 249696 Attachment 249697