Thread: Cordovan strop life

I recently purchased a Kanayama 50000. I love this strop. The buttery draw is awesome. No need to get into the description as many of you own one. I am contemplating getting another one as a back up.

Here are my questions regarding this strop.

I know there are vintage strops, but many of them are leather and not cordovan.

With daily usage, what's the life span of this strop? Barring cuts, etc.

With use, will the strop retain it's current buttery draw? If it changes, how so?

If I do get a back up, what's the shelf life of a strop if stored in a dry place?

With proper care I would expect your grandchildren to inherit it. Just rubbing it with your palm before each use should be sufficient for proper care. If you get a back up just hang it in a closet with some sort of cover, razorfeld makes a nice looking strop sock for protection from dust and damage.

For draw, mind you this is just my experience. I own 2 latigo and one steerhide. My latigos get daily use, one is 4 years old the other is a couple months old. The old one has a fast draw compared to the new one. It used to be much heavier but I have used shaving soap on it to try and clean some of the extra wax off of it. To bring some more draw back to it I could put some neatsfoot oil on it. There’s lots of info laying around here from very experienced members, I’m sure they’ll jump in here.

Ive got the 70k model and used it a lot. It got some dark streaks on it now and ive tried cleaning lightly but they dont come off. As far as the draw it has, ive found it has gotten more draw over the years. But hasnt lost the feel at all. I keep thinking to get another for a stash but haven't. I dont use mine much now. I like a harder feel to a strop.

With my cordovan strops I have stayed away from palm rubbing them as I noticed the oils from my hand seemed to have increased the draw slightly. The ones where I don’t palm rub them I haven’t experienced this. I usually just strop.

Personally, I can't see any strop wearing out with regular use and proper maintenance. Accidents are another matter and what backups are for as you are wisely looking at.

I do not have a Kanayama Cordovan strop but a Neil Miller Cordovan that has been in continuous daily use for a few years now and the draw remains buttery smooth. It would not expect the draw to change much.


Bob

I have a Strop that was probably 20 to 30 years old when I got it. Have used it for 30 years. It has nicks. The handles have been resewed but it's still going strong.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

My main concern is the change in draw and losing the buttery feel it currently has. I have seen some strops turn darker from use. Just wondering if those feel the same now as when new. I do agree that they can still be used for numerous years. I am not a big fan of glassy strops and was hoping it wouldn't turn glassy with use.

It is all about maintenance, hydration with water and oil. I suspect just regular use of constant flexing the leather hand cleaning and polishing and stropping does a lot to keep the leather supple.

Probably the worst thing is letting them sit and dry out.

The problem with hand rubbing is the dirt on your hand and grinding in airborne dust.

I strop on a pair of Kanayamas one vintage 20-30 years old, one new 5-6 years old. I like the vintage a bit more, but they feel very close in performance. They are both kept in the house.

I wipe with a damp cloth often and add a couple drops of Ballistol every couple of months.

My shop strop, probably much older, stays in the shop gets more water and oil as it stays in an unheated shop, also lots more dust, but I do keep covered. I wipe it with a damp sponge almost daily. All 3 are soft , floppy and smooth.

its leather my friend so treat it like leather,, cordovan is just a process in the leather. and by the way I have one from the master made in 1947, its still the best piece I have and I don't do anything but keep it clean, no palm rubbing, but when I clean it I use a microfiber cloth damp. in between uses I have a strop sock on it

The vintage Kanayama 50 that I have is 10 years old and all that’s ever been done to it is it’s been wiped with a warm damp cotton cloth once or twice a year, the strops I have that are well loved don’t get any hand rubbing just a light damp cloth wiping down and a very light treatment of Venetian shoe cream once a year but the Kanayama just gets the water