Thread: Shell Cordovan Strop Question

I have been reading a lot about strops on this site and other areas. Apparently in history the premier strop material was shell cordovan. NOw, I have sliced and diced a DOVO 3" wide strop since it was my first, but someday I would like to move up since now I no longer cut my strop.
In my search I found that most of the vendors here have strops that start at about $90 shipped, but the Kanayama strops are way higher. I also found a vendor who sell shell cordovan strops and my question is, why has no one on this site purchased one?
If this was historically the best material and from what I can tell and very expensive leather, why would no one buy one of these strops when they are priced cheaper that other non-shell cordovan strops?

I was just curious. I don't want to waste money and buy two strops when I can barely afford one. If I am going to buy the nicest strop possible, I just want to be well informed.

Thanks

Jaque

Shell cordovan, A.K.A. horsehide, is one of the most used materials for razor strops going back to the early days. Many, if not most, vintage strops are made from horsehide. Shell cordovan being a high grade of horse butt coming from a specific area of the rump. The tanning process used is said to be as important as the material. Strop makers have found that bovine latigo is also a fine alternative to horde butt and some people prefer the increased draw (resistance) obtained with a latigo. Here again the tanning process is all important.

The Kanayama strops are made by a very small shop in Japan using top quality materials and the maker's own tanning process. Between the limited production, high demand and currency issues the price can be high. I've made a few strops from high quality horse butt. They do the job but I can feel the difference between the strops I made and professionally made strops by Straight Razor Designs, Tony Miller or Kanayama. IOW, there is more to it than just cutting a piece of horse hide into a rectangle and hanging it off a door knob.

I think you'll find that in the end any quality strop will do the job no matter the critter it came from and I don't think the cordovan causes the razor to be any sharper than cow hide. It may look nicer and feel nicer and last longer but it's more a luxury thing and barbers used horse because it lasted longer.

I think you'll find many people here who have every type of strop that exists out there including the cordovan.

Check out Neil Miller's strops ... he's making a Shell Cordovan for me now, and there are very positive reviews from SRP members. He's also very easy to work with, provides 3" strops, and his prices are less than Kanayama (although Kanayama obviously has very nice strops).

Link: www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration

Good luck!

I am not sure what site you are finding cord priced cheaper than non cord.

I would be pretty damn careful about that site.

Originally Posted by jimmyfingers

I am not sure what site you are finding cord priced cheaper than non cord.

I would be pretty damn careful about that site.

Hey Jimmy ... Neil is a Senior Member here, and IMO is a trusted contributor, especially regarding strops. Visit his link in my post above. i've gotten glowing recommendations from several members here, and never a negative comment. His communications are always respectful and insightful, and from all of this, I've given him a shot. I plan to do a review once I have had a chance to use his strop. I'm not dissing Kanayama by any means ... it's just that I think most would agree, that it's at the high end of the cost scale (and to clarify, based on all that I've read, probably worth the price). I was just identifying a somewhat lower cost alternative.

Originally Posted by Tuxedo7

Hey Jimmy ... Neil is a Senior Member here, and IMO is a trusted contributor, especially regarding strops. Visit his link in my post above. i've gotten glowing recommendations from several members here, and never a negative comment. His communications are always respectful and insightful, and from all of this, I've given him a shot. I plan to do a review once I have had a chance to use his strop. I'm not dissing Kanayama by any means ... it's just that I think most would agree, that it's at the high end of the cost scale (and to clarify, based on all that I've read, probably worth the price). I was just identifying a somewhat lower cost alternative.

I'm fairly certain Jimmy was referring to the original post, in which it was said

I also found a vendor who sell shell cordovan strops and my question is, why has no one on this site purchased one?
If this was historically the best material and from what I can tell and very expensive leather, why would no one buy one of these strops when they are priced cheaper that other non-shell cordovan strops?

Neil's Cordovan shell strops start at 129 GBP...not cheaper than non-shell cordovan strops, so I assume they're talking about different vendors.

I myself would be curious to know what site he's talking about, with cheap shell cordovan strops...

Cordovan over here is pretty hard to come by. There is only one distributor that I know of and the shoe guys have first dibs. When you can get it and there usually is quite the wait, you certainly can make a strop from it. It starts off very slippery, but eventually will develop a nice draw and result. I actually find the current horsehide very similar in break in and result. I have had 4 Kanayama's and still have three of them. They are very nice strops and I would recommend them other than my personal preference being 3 inch strops.

As far as cheaper prices and watching out, there are always DIY guys out there who copy what vendors are making, not always with the best fit and finish, but usually at a price less than retail. Lots of folks get started this way.

In any case, I may just end up with another Kanayama considering the current sale. Lord knows I don't have enough strops. Haven't ever tried Neil's, but they are similar to others I have seen out there. Heck, I have or have had one or more of everyone else's. One of these days.........lol.

I spend hundreds of hours annually testing all kinds of strops, stropping materials and media, looking purely at draw and results and as thebigspender has already said both cow and horse hide can do the job well. Personal preference is very key here.

Have fun,

Lynn

I think I chose some bad wording. What I meant was I found a vendor who sells shell cordovan strops for less than the non-shell Kanayamas. They are 3" wide and seem pretty big since they are both longer than my destroyed dovo.
Now I am terribly intimidated because the master has recommended the Kanayama basically. I know I can't go wrong. I think I am goign to take a chance on the shell because they are American made. It may not pan out, but for $200 I can get a large shell cordovan strop and I don;t think thats a terrible price because the big Kanayama is going to cost that or more.

If it doesn't work out, I will kick myself and tell everyone so they can say I told you so. I figure with the economy now, it would be more patriotic for me personally to buy American made products. I am sorry for the confusion.
Special thanks to JimmyHAD for his advice!

Just make sure you have your stropping technique down...before you buy a Kanayama or any expensive strop.
You woundn't want to slice and dice another...