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came across a older Kanayama 50 strop and am curious as to when it was possibly made, the upper part had the gold embossing like what is marketed now but the lower does not as pictured so those that know the Kanayama history can you advise, this strop has never been used and is wrapped
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I had one with markings like that from a trade and it was from before the Master was said to have stopped making them; about 7 years back or older.
No further info.
Enjoy a great tool!
~Richard
The only difference between that one and mine that is only one year old is, mine has gold in the lettering and mine says 70000. Dought this helps you any but maybe all the gold has just worn off from age?
Thanks for the info gents, the strop according to the seller has never been used and is still in its original packaging from the maker, I have dealt with the seller on other items and he’s a very honest gent to deal with.
I would love to own a vintage unused Kanayama as personally the ones made now see to have some quality issues but not all of them.
We must remember that he made strops for a very, very long time.
Some with other names upon them. Some with the 'certifyd' logo.
Some with razor names and resellers names. It is fairly easy to know which as you get to know his work.
I have one. Tc
I have reached out to the seller and inquired if the draw is similar to a shell cordonan strop, I know this maker processes his leather differently compared to say Horween cordovan but I like a strop that has minimal draw so will see what happens, would however love to own a vintage older Kanayama.
My Kanoyama 3 doesn't have gold wash on the bottom, and it's maybe 5-6 years old. I also have a quite old strop with the remains of the gold llama stamp at top and H. & H. Grinding Co Cleveland, OH and '828' inside a laurel wreath(?). This strop is a harder leather and feels very much like a TM Fast Bridle rather than the velvety feel of many modern Kanoyamas. I assume that it's from the 1950s or early 1960s, a Google of the company does not reveal anything.
I think maybe that if you're wanting a certain 'feel' to a strop, age might not be the way to go about it. Kanoyamas vary in draw, I assume because of the individual pieces of leather. Some are fast, some moderate in draw.
I fear that finding the Kanoyama you want is like brushes, razors, and stones; you just have to try several of them and keep your favorites. That's probably not what you're wanting to hear... lol.
Cheers, Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve56
Steve,
I had an 80k years ago and regret selling it and I have gone thru several chaseing that perfect draw so I most likely will take a chance on this one and see what happens.
So many Kanoyama strops made over time by Naomi San the owner of Kanayama Strop Company. French cordovan sourced early and later in production and Japanese cordovan used as well. All materials selected by the maker for the various model numbered strops based on condition, feel and thickness. All strops then finished to that amazing feel all Kanoyama owners know and love.
Many, many variations produced over the years both for a companies advertising needs and just the regular line of strops.
Here is a custom made from about 7 or 8 years ago:
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An autographed strop by Naomi San:
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A few of the embellishments used over the years:
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An couple of order strops in superb condition:
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A current custom model used by a Canadian Company as a part of their line of shaving gear.
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Bob, about 7 years ago, at your suggestion, I bought a Kanayama strop from Jim Rion. What a superb suggestion. Subsequently I was very lucky to acquire a 95000. One of fifteen of the finest hides selected by Naomi San. So while my wallet went ouch, my face says ahaaaa! Thank you again for your invaluable guidance and suggestions.
Semper Fi,
Tom
I have a vintage kanayama not on your list of pics I purchased it for $10 an believe it was in or near a fire as the bottom is bumpy, crunchy, an dry. I have tried everything to bring it back to its former glory to no avail. The strop feels an sounds scratchy still. Here is a pic.
I reached out to the seller who promptly responded the Kanayama 50 i had asked about is about 8 years old and has been unopened and in storage the entire time so even though I honestly don’t need another strop this one is coming my way :)
It does not have the suede and only has that cotton second piece which I find harsh on a blade but I am honestly just wanting the leather, this strop will be the end of strops for me if it performs as I hope, I will have the Kanayama 50, Westholme Cordovan and two Tony Miller Spanish bridle ones along with a oil tanned which will be sold.
Some...This one very old. Lives with Tc.
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Yamamoto was left-handed. Like butter.
I cannot bring myself to use these yet.....
Old ones are nice in good condition!
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Did the "everything" that you tried include water?Quote:
Originally Posted by KsStraightShaver
Those don’t look very safe to use so please for the sake of your safety send to me for proper disposal :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Well received my vintage Kanayama 50, the leather in person is much lighter than the pic the seller sent but no matter it’s a beautiful piece of leather and I have had several Kanayama strops and maybe it’s the placebo effect but stropping on this piece is different, seller advised he’s had it new in wrapper for 7-8 years so this is officially my last strop this one and two Tony Miller Spanish Bridle ones and then my Westholme Cordovan and my Paddle from Martin at Rasurpur and then TM Oil tanned that I will most likely get rid of the oil tanned.
Here’s a updated few pics of my very small den so to speak in the MB
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Beautiful! Everything! :tu
Betcha THAT fabric is right! :cool:
I have had several Kanayama strops over the past few years chasing a certain leather draw and this one feels pretty perfect, the draw is very creamy is the best description I can give, the cotton back piece I have never honestly cared for but I may try this one but on past ones it’s be super rough and it tends to degrade a JNAT edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
When I got mine a few years back, there was instructions as to how to beat the cloth component into submission.""canvas-stropQuote:
Originally Posted by Jnatcat
The company name is Kanoyama, but it is stamped Kanayama. They made the wrong spell stamp and used it, and the company had been known as Kanayama, so they could not correct it anymore.
******PLEASE DO NOT USE THE CANVAS STROP WITHOUT ANY TREAT TO BE SOFTER******
The new canvas strop is very tough and hard cloth, so it might get damage to your razor blade. If you do not have time to do below processes, please take off the canvas strop from leather strop, and wash it in washing machine with softner at least several times like new jeans. The new canvas strop will be softer and it is forgiven the lapping of razor blade.
################################################## #################################
=====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 ( (Bottling with glass to set the surface [G])
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
FWW
~Richard
PS, Good treatment for old strops that look like hell....
The problem I have read with washing it is it will shrink about 3/4" in length so I may choose to soften it by see-sawing it over the edge of my Atoma plate just to break the fibers down some.
All of the older ones I have/have had with that hue of fabric were nice. Nothing like the harsh newer ones.
Give it a try!
I certainly will Sir and thanks for suggesting that, no sense in beating it up or washing it if I don't have to, I gave it a good palm rub this a.m before heading out to work and even did a quick 50 laps and it's really a different draw compared to the newer ones I have had in the past, its a very even creamy consistent draw.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Gave it a quick 50 laps on the cotton and am glad I did now t wash or beat down, it’s pretty smooth so going to leave it as is, thanks for the tip to try it as is.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
It gets better as you go! :cool:
I don’t use the inside of it, I basically hold both the leather and cotton as one piece and just flip it to the leather side, it’s pretty much the way I use the linen and leather strops.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
