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I recently bought the 70000 model and ive been doing good with it. No cuts!
I wanted a quality strop so i went for it. A christmas gift to myself.
Anyways, this is the 3 piece unit. I understand the leather piece but when and how do you use the canvas/cloth and the suede parts? I did try to soften the cloth but it needs more work so im afraid to use it yet. So... when and how to use these other parts?
Stiff fabric is common.
I know of no adverse effects of using it, other than it feeling strange as-stropping.
My old Kanayamas have very soft fabric components, even the NOS.
I expect the suede is for use after the fabric and before the leather?
Gasman, on the AframesTokyo site, they outline a procedure on how to treat the canvas piece. It involves scrubbing, and a few trips through the washing machine. So definitely do that, or a similar method, as some have said it may cause micro chips if used stiff out of the box. On mine at least, the leather tab on the bottom of it needs to be re-glued back on, and the strop shrinks about an inch, but once treated the canvas is lovely to use. Now the suede piece. I think it has probably not have an enormous impact on things. That being said, my process on my #70000 is 20 laps on the canvas, 30 on the suede and a 100 on the cordovan. Whether it makes a difference is subjective, but it feels great to use, and I am very happy with the strop.
This begs a question.. Why must you do a detailed washing of the strop and 'regluing' of the leather tab?
On a NEW strop? :confused: Those things don't come cheaply!
Old one...
Attachment 252502
You guys have some pics?
I thought the same thing, but when the strop arrived, I recalled what Aframestokyo, the retailer of the strop's instructions on why and how to best use the canvas piece. Please read the Aframestokyo's instructions. It isn't my personal idea, but from the company who sold me the strop
i washed the canvas as recommended but the leather end cap immediately came off. i wish it was sewn on like sharptonns image above and not clued. doesnt make sense from such a quality product otherwise.
I suppose that is the difference between 50+ years ago and now.Quote:
Originally Posted by sloanwinters
Asking the maker why these details are being omitted is not such a bad thing.
Would take a bit of time and effort to reinstate them? These things should be insisted-upon. For the money, especially!
Oh well. Most fine things go downhill as they fade. Seems typical to me. :(
I believe the situation re the canvas piece of the Kanayama is not entirely the choice of the strop maker himself. Most who have bought a Kanayama strop are, once treated/washed are very happy with it. When one buys a kanayama, the canvas piece is in a 'Red Imp' plastic sheath, so it appears to me, it is supplied in it's Red Imp livery, and is in and of itself, not made by the Kanoyama company. As far as having to re glue the leather tag, it is no big deal, wipe a smear of PVA glue to it and stick it back with a weight on it. Takes about 5 minutes, and if you choose not to re-attach it, the strop's performance is totally unaffected.
So your Kanayama strop will function fine, the cordovan piece is brilliant as is the suede piece. I have a few Kanayama's and they all perform as the price demands. As far as the canvas piece is concerned, wash it to soften it or don't. It's purely up to you and isn't exactly difficult to do. I guess if it's a compelling problem for some, then there are other Shell Cordovan strops out there, so maybe give one a try.
Oh yes! I have a few NOS strops attributed to the master from back in the days. Wrap has Red Imp all over it.Quote:
Originally Posted by bobski
Kanayama made strops of American-supplied leather. Made in USA? Red Imp, indeed! :rofl2:
I swear by my Kanayama canvas part.
I used it for a year or two when it was really stiff and it worked a treat.
Recently I caked it in softener and gave it a wash in the machine. Afterwards I tumble dried it.
It is a lot softer now , not that I think it matters..
Also be aware of the ridges along the sides, I'm sure they protrude more on one side ..
The suede I use to clean my edge after a shave, before hitting the strops.
Well I guess you get what you pay for...:rofl2:
I always thought the fabric component was linen, not canvas. Canvas was used for tents back in the day down here, two totally different materials...:shrug:
The secondary suede strop is horsehide and can be used perfectly by itself or progressively with the Cordovan. I really enjoy using this part of the strop.
For the canvas/cotton part I used a metal rule to break down the
fibers then soaked it in fabric conditioner for a while then put it in the wash. This has improved the feel dramatically.
I feel that with a new strop you shouldn't need to faff about improving it but it doesn't take long and now works very well.
It's too early .. My brain doesn't start until 9am :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Grazor
Ive washed the canvas after soaking in fabric softener and the leather piece on bottom came off as exspected. Glued it back on. But now its dry and still not as soft as i think it sould be. Guess i might be sewing that part back on this next time.
Thanks all for the info. The suede piece confuses me. But ill go to the website and read some more on it.
I recently got my 70k, the same 3-piece. I just use the canvas as it is. After about 500 laps (that means I probably used it a dozen times) it already feels softer. There's no need to do anything with it, in my opinion. It's a bit loud, but that's it. I've certainly not seen any ill effects on my edges.
Congrats on your acquisition, I feel it is worth every cent and I hope to buy another soon... for no rational reason! [emoji51]
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...b7930d44e2.jpg
Nothing to get confused about mate, think of it as a added bonus, 3 strops in 1. As said it can be used perfectly well by itself, after the canvas/linen and before the Cordovan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gasman
The bigspendur has away said it doesn't matter what critter the leather comes from it all does the same job, personal preference is key here.
Try using the napped leather one day then the Cordovan leather the next, chances are you wont notice a difference in the shave.
Exactly what I do. There's no difference, other than the draw.Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
Very good. Ill go for the cloth then suede than cordovan and just put it to use. Thanks for all the info.
The napped learher? You are using the fluffy side of the suede strop? Ive been using the flat side. Just like a standard leather strop. This is what is confusing me. Suede is soft. So is this correct. Its made to be used on the fluffy side?Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
BTW, i took a metal ruller and ran the end up and down the cloth and it did soften up. Mightcdo that some more as it helped a lot.
Way back when the distributer was asked why the fabric part was the way it is and the maker told him it was the best material he could find in Japan.
So all these home remedies to make it more palatable for use is kind of making lemonade out of lemons.
The treatment of the fabric strop came about from Takeshis instructions i believe.
KANOYAMA Kanayama Replacement Canvas Strop 600mmX65mm
I had mine before these instructions came out so used it for a while as is. Now that I have softened it up the feeling whilst stropping is much nicer.
Yes Jerry use the soft side, just flip the strop round and your good to go.
It may be making lemonade out of lemons, but no one wants to drink sour juice, you tend to add some sweetener to your lemons to make the drink palatable, as does the treatment of canvas make it a better strop. My opinion only, but on my Kanayama strops, I give my canvas piece a few trips in the washer before using it. That is the advice of the distributor.
Thank you for clearing that up for me. Now I'm good to go! Now if my beard would just grow faster so I could shave twice a day. 6 months ago I would have never said such a thing. Wow, I must be growing up or something!Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
New question on this strop. I find now it feels, when stroping on leather, that the lower half of the strop has more resistance and is darker in color. Could be from grandkid touching it as you never know what they have on there hands. Top half is nice and smooth durring the stroping and not as dark.
So a.way to possibly wash or clean it some?
First off don't let the grandkids mess with your strop. Secondly I threw the linen away, the suede works just fine as the pre stropping substrate. Third get a linen strop from Scupleworks and problem solved, it's the best out there and as good as Kanayama strops are the linen is sub par at best. As a matter of fact my #3 only came with the suede and I haven't needed anything other than that, on my 70000 the linen s relegated to hanging out in the garage, all by its lonesome. Tc
Cant say that I agree with that statement, the leather has to be of good quality, somewhat pliable, without any artificial layer, and have some sort of draw. A thick Masonite like piece of leather without draw will yield different results then a shell cordovan strop. There is a big difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
Jerry.
Get a clean towel and wet it, ring it out so its just damp and rub your strop down, some colour may rub off on your towel. Leave to dry and your good to go.
When palm rubbing the oils from your hand can darken your strop though.
Yup, I think it goes without saying it has to be good quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin103
Thanks for the cleaning or wiping down info. I was thinking some shave soap on a brush but was worried about the soap on the leather. Good wipe down i can do. Its only on the lower half so this makes me think granddaughter. Shes not allowed in my room but... it could be from me too i guess.
And, after three times thru the washer and a steal ruler run up and down the cloth my cloth strop is very plyable, soft and not very zippy. I order another one just to put CR0X on. I like it. Also like the suede. The Suede is so smooth im afraid its not doing much for me but i enjoy stroping on it. BTW, i had to glue the leather piece back on the bottom of the cloth after the washings. I like stroping! Now if i could only hone as well. Ha.
That was the right answer i guess. I took a damp clean wash cloth to my strop yesterday morning and last night it stroped very fast and smoothly. Guess it just needed a good wipe down. Its has next to no resistance now in the strokes. Now its in need of some conditioning i guess but ill used the oil from my hands for now and figure in a few days it should be all good. Thanks for the help.
Yep, no need for anything else than a good palm rub on a new strop and the occasional wipe down with a damp cloth. It will keep your strop in tip top condition for many years.
If it's not an old found strop in need of care, don't use or need conditioner. A strop that's used regular and just wiped down with a damp cloth every now and then to get the dust off is all a strop needs. Period. TcQuote:
Originally Posted by Gasman
Good to know. Thanks tc and all!
