Thread: That you would choose Shell Cordovan Horween or Kanayama Cordovan?

I just wondering how many people actually have or had real horween shell cordovan strop? I emailed them a year ago or something with the question how about making strop for me - I got polite " no way" answer. Keith, as far as as know, not making them a lot. An opposite to that kanayama strop was and is available if you want one... I don't think many people had them both at the same time and can compare apples to apples.

A well made shell strop is a shell strop,they all work well and cannot be compared as to how they function.
Fully understand how Price, status and looks sway people tho.

I have the 3000 with the suede second and it is a superb strop in every sense of the word. I also have the 80000 and it is nice step up but in all honesty the edges coming off it are no better than the edges coming off the 3000.

Originally Posted by Traskrom

I just wondering how many people actually have or had real horween shell cordovan strop? I emailed them a year ago or something with the question how about making strop for me - I got polite " no way" answer. Keith, as far as as know, not making them a lot. An opposite to that kanayama strop was and is available if you want one... I don't think many people had them both at the same time and can compare apples to apples.

In addition to the Kanayama's and a multitude of SRD strops in various forms I have the Horween Shell in cordovan that
Jerrod has on occassion. The Horween cordovan has just a touch heavier draw than the Kanayama strops but I find the edges to be almost identical between the two strops.

Edited to add: The Kanayama suede secondary is, imho, one of the most beautiful pieces
of leather I have ever seen and used as the pre-strop to any finished leather it gives an edge that I think is better than any of my cotton, natural linen or other secondary fabrics.

Yes, the Kanayama is the finest strop out there IMHO.
My 90000 sees use almost daily

The numbers on them indicate thickness basically.
The stropping surface is more or less identical wether it is a 30K or a 90K.

The 70-80-90K are the thickest, around 5 or 6mm if I remember correctly.
The 10-20-30K are 3mm or thereabouts, while the mid-range is about 4mm or so.

The difference between the two is really processing as far as the leather goes. I have the kanayamara #3. I don't have the Horoween strop though I have it in shoes and watch bands.

Happily my flirtation with strops is over and I'm truly serious when I say that. I've given away most of the strops I had and just have around 7 or so. The kanayamara is a very fine strop but in the end they all do the same job.

Thank you TBS for the above post. myths and dragons need to be exposed for what they really are

Thanks Birnando for explaining what the different numbers denote with the Kanayama strops. I have a few of Keith's @ Hand American strops. Some of the earlier and the last one that was being distributed by Classic for a time. It was a Horween cordovan and I think the others are as well. Keith has told me that it is very difficult to get cordovan shell from Horween because the shoe companies have first dibs.

Anyway, like thebigspendur, I also have a cache of vintage pro barber strops. High quality shells and what have you. I've got them from Tony Miller, SRD and they are great strops and they do all do the same job but the kanayama 80,000 is luxury. BTW, I had a 90,000 and couldn't bring myself to use it so I sold it. The 80,000 IIRC is the same material but standard length. The 90,000 is longer. I picked one up and have forced myself to use it ..... and glad I did.

Also, as Bob said above, that Kanayama secondary suede is a masterpiece.

Today I received my horween shell cordovan strop. I don't have kanayama strop and can't compare myself, but man, this is damn nice piece of leather, really, what a beauty!

Originally Posted by Traskrom

Today I received my horween shell cordovan strop. I don't have kanayama strop and can't compare myself, but man, this is damn nice piece of leather, really, what a beauty!

What strop,am not seeing a strop