Thread: Kanayama stroppers happy??

Well I think there's a difference between price and value. And the problem is that these aren't always denoted by the beholder, it's often "expert opinion" and popularity. I've seen many "amateur" paintings which I found not only technically more skillful but also more emotionally moving than Picasso, but Picasso gets the space in the galleries because some stuffy old art critic said his acid trip mongo faced paintings are great.

I don't doubt that these strops are high quality, however I don't think they command the price they're being sold for. Then again I'm 20 years old and I think that says all you need to know about my financial situation. $400 is more than I want I want to spend on all my shaving equipment combined.

Some people will say "The Voice of Fire" was worth the $1.8 million my city paid for it, personally I don't think it's worth much more than the cost of the materials to make it. But we don't all have the same opinion of things.

Originally Posted by doolie

Well I think there's a difference between price and value.

That is why there are Fords and Ferraris.

All modern cordovan strops are expensive. Add a horse hide (for an 80/90K) and a linen, a case, and tracked shipping and it is justified in price....to me anyway.

Like I said, I'm sure it's worth it to some, but not to me.

Originally Posted by doolie

Well I think there's a difference between price and value. And the problem is that these aren't always denoted by the beholder, it's often "expert opinion" and popularity. I've seen many "amateur" paintings which I found not only technically more skillful but also more emotionally moving than Picasso, but Picasso gets the space in the galleries because some stuffy old art critic said his acid trip mongo faced paintings are great.

I don't doubt that these strops are high quality, however I don't think they command the price they're being sold for. Then again I'm 20 years old and I think that says all you need to know about my financial situation. $400 is more than I want I want to spend on all my shaving equipment combined.

Some people will say "The Voice of Fire" was worth the $1.8 million my city paid for it, personally I don't think it's worth much more than the cost of the materials to make it. But we don't all have the same opinion of things.

That's where we disagree...I think value comes when something is more than just the sum of its parts. What you are talking about (I think) is price...that is my humble opinion of course, and I may be very well be wrong.

And I think Jimmy hit the nail right on the head by the Ford and Ferrari analogy . You add the parts in the Ferrari and I am sure they won't add up to more than $50K (just a guesstimate), but some will pay upwards of $1M for it...obviously that is more than just the price...Of course expert opinions count. I rely on these things to make educated decision about any purchase. Now, if someone is going to frop $50M on a Picasso will do enough due diligence to know value versus price. You may disagree and your budget may dictate so, but for he/she who wants the Picasso...well, you know .

As for the Kanayama strop. Is it worth the $400 price? maybe not....but, it certainly has more than $400 value (for me anyway) because it's not just parts I am buying, there's human labor and love that has gone into creating that strop....intricate details and softness of leather, etc, etc, etc...these are the intangible values that cannot be captured by price.

Exactly like Ferrari. You are paying for heritage, just like with the Kanayamas. You a paying for something that is not readily available in large quantities and only produced in one place in the world. It can not simply be imitated like that.

It may not be worth it to you, but perhaps you are not acquired nor experienced enough to appreciate or gain anything from its value.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

That's where we disagree...I think value comes when something is more than just the sum of its parts. What you are talking about (I think) is price...that is my humble opinion of course, and I may be very well be wrong.

And I think Jimmy hit the nail right on the head by the Ford and Ferrari analogy . You add the parts in the Ferrari and I am sure they won't add up to more than $50K (just a guesstimate), but some will pay upwards of $1M for it...obviously that is more than just the price...Of course expert opinions count. I rely on these things to make educated decision about any purchase. Now, if someone is going to frop $50M on a Picasso will do enough due diligence to know value versus price. You may disagree and your budget may dictate so, but for he/she who wants the Picasso...well, you know .

As for the Kanayama strop. Is it worth the $400 price? maybe not....but, it certainly has more than $400 value (for me anyway) because it's not just parts I am buying, there's human labor and love that has gone into creating that strop....intricate details and softness of leather, etc, etc, etc...these are the intangible values that cannot be captured by price.

Very well put my friend, my thoughts exactly!

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

As for the Kanayama strop. Is it worth the $400 price? maybe not....but, it certainly has more than $400 value (for me anyway) because it's not just parts I am buying, there's human labor and love that has gone into creating that strop....intricate details and softness of leather, etc, etc, etc...these are the intangible values that cannot be captured by price.

Word !....

Actually I do agree that "value comes when something is more than just the sum of its parts." The Voice of Fire is a very black and white example and if you look up the painting I'm talking about I think you'll agree. If a Picasso were worth more than $50m to me then of course it would be worth me spending my hard earned $50m on it. The thing is the Picasso isn't worth $50m to me and I'm not going to agree that something is worth it's selling price solely based on someone else's opinion.

If it's worth more than the selling price to you, buy it and bask in the happiness of your purchase. If it's worth less than the selling price to you, don't buy it and enjoy the money in your pocket. And personally, I wouldn't buy one of these even if I had a ton of disposable income.

Originally Posted by doolie

Actually I do agree that "value comes when something is more than just the sum of its parts."

And personally, I wouldn't buy one of these even if I had a ton of disposable income.

If I maybe so bold to type this for some of the other members who have already posted their thoughts on these strops, to each their own and no harm, no foul.