J Tarnow Company Strop

I inherited this from my dad over 30 years ago and know nothing about it other than that there was a Tarnow company in Toronto that sold barber supplies and equipment. I think they may still be functioning.

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The top markings indicate it is genuine shell and “broke-in”. The bottom markings indicate it is from Japan.

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I haven’t been able to find anything on the internet and would appreciate any additional information anyone on SRP can add.

It’s a little scuffed and has what look like small cracks in the surface near the bottom markings and one small nick on the right side. I have used neatsfoot oil SPARINGLY and the surface is quite supple. It has a fairly slick draw.

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Many strops were made by a single maker and sold to hardware and barber supplies with their store name. If the timing us right many Japanese branded strops could have been made by Naomi - San hisself. But where it comes from or who made it a nice old shell in great shape is a true joy to own and use. Try to stay away from putting anything on it unless dry and cracking. Moisture in my opinion is the key to a strop staying healthy. Mine all just get a wipe with a damp cloth once in a while to keep them clean and supple, haven't added anything to mine and their still sweet.

If it's dry in anyway try applying just a couple drops of neatsfoot or Balistrol to the back side and rub in well, wait a couple of weeks and see if it needs more. Nice strop. Tc

Amazing the info contained in the collective brains of SRP.

The backside of the leather appears unfinished - almost like suede. Is it OK to put anything on that?

Any suggestions for cleaning the linen strop. I put some TI white paste on it and it now has black streaks from stropping.

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Originally Posted by DZEC

Amazing the info contained in the collective brains of SRP.

The backside of the leather appears unfinished - almost like suede. Is it OK to put anything on that?

Any suggestions for cleaning the linen strop. I put some TI white paste on it and it now has black streaks from stropping.

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That's the way the back if strops is, but the oil works its way to the top side over time, but like I said if not needed don't. As to the linen, well I wouldn't have put any paste on it, once pasted it's always pasted. If you had wanted a pasted strop you should have gotten another strop. In most cases a pasted strop isn't needed either. Tc

Definitely looks to be old Kanoyama to me.

That would be a nice surprise.