Thread: Ranking of strop materials

If you go HERE: Kanayama Cordovan Strop 2196

You can pick up a kanayama for just over $100US

Is that one shell? why is it so cheap (it's $140 at current exchange rates, cheap is a relative term, I guess).

aframestokyo has cordovan and linen 60000s for $202, which I think is my favorite option, but they say they're out of stock. I emailed them, that's quite a bit cheaper than the JNS price of the same and shipping isn't too bad from hawaii. It does seem a little more sensible to buy a strop than to buy a $250+ shell and make several and really only need one, and still have to buy the linen. I see the kanayama 3 is only about $100 there, too, but it is described as being softer, which doesn't sound like my bag.

Imperial also makes a horween cordovan strop.

Here I thought I was just stirring the pot by actually answering the question at the beginning, and it turns out that I'm probably the one who benefitted the most from this thread. Well, that's debatable, I have enough horse butt left to make 3 more strops and I think it cost me $30 shipped, so benefitting is used without regard to reckless spending.

Originally Posted by DaveW

Is that one shell? why is it so cheap (it's $140 at current exchange rates, cheap is a relative term, I guess).

aframestokyo has cordovan and linen 60000s for $202, which I think is my favorite option, but they say they're out of stock. I emailed them, that's quite a bit cheaper than the JNS price of the same and shipping isn't too bad from hawaii. It does seem a little more sensible to buy a strop than to buy a $250+ shell and make several and really only need one, and still have to buy the linen. I see the kanayama 3 is only about $100 there, too, but it is described as being softer, which doesn't sound like my bag.

Imperial also makes a horween cordovan strop.

Here I thought I was just stirring the pot by actually answering the question at the beginning, and it turns out that I'm probably the one who benefitted the most from this thread. Well, that's debatable, I have enough horse butt left to make 3 more strops and I think it cost me $30 shipped, so benefitting is used without regard to reckless spending.

The 2196 is shell, it is what I use to strop on.
It is the cheapest because it is just the shell backed with thin leather, and fabric strop. The higher models have thicker backing and fabric, or another leather strop for pre-stropping before the shell as well as fabric strop.

WOW!!! Did not expect that kind of info from my question but it is fun to learn. Thanks a lot. I never even considered making a strop myself. It is good to know that personal preference is the biggest factor. I already have a Star Shaving Big Daddy Chestnut but thought that as my skills increased I might need to increase the hardware. It will be fun to try out different hides in the future.

I have a Vintage DD Cordovan Shell Strop. It's like glass. I have lot's of strops, but I have to say the Kanayama Cordovan is extremely nice. It's the nicest strop I've come across. TBH, I hardly use it because it's so nice. Seems silly, right?

If someone wanted a real nice strop, You wouldn't be disappointed with Kanayama. I have the old 90,000. I'm not sure what they call them now.

These days, like Jimmy, I lean towards the horse. I like minimal draw. I love SRD's premium #1, it's nice and supple, then their English Bridle. Both are excellent. Both are 3" wide. The English Bridle is extra long.

I also have Tony Miller's Steerhide in 2 1/2 wide, and he did a limited edition Horse for me about 2 years ago, 3 inches wide.

The Steerhide has a bit more draw than the Horse, but they're both really nice.

Originally Posted by mainaman

The 2196 is shell, it is what I use to strop on.
It is the cheapest because it is just the shell backed with thin leather, and fabric strop. The higher models have thicker backing and fabric, or another leather strop for pre-stropping before the shell as well as fabric strop.

I assume the review on JNS is from you? somewhat fascinating to me that the strop tell you when to stop because of the increase in draw.
Thats something i never experienced.

If you want a shell strop, have a look at The Superior Shave. He occasionally has Horween shell strops made by Walkin' Horse. I have the 2" wide one with the raw linen back; really prefer that linen texture to tightly woven linen or cotton. Many folks say to splurge on a 3" width; I have 2.5" strops mostly, but don't miss that half inch at all when I use my shell strop. You just X-stroke.

As far as preferences for what I have at hand, I far prefer the Horween shell to my Illinois 127, which is steerhide. I like my latigo the least. For pastes, I use wool felt on the SRP modular paddle.

Best wishes and happy shopping.

I have a 3" Walking Horse Shell Cordovan strop made from Horween shell. I believe Jarrod at The Superior Shave is the exclusive distributor of these. They're hard to get. You never know when he's getting them and when he does, there are usually only a few and go fast. All you can do is check his website regularly.

My Walking Horse horsebutt is my favorite strop and it has a very light draw. I assume the SRD horsebutt strop is comparable, since they're both made from Horween horsehide.

My favorite cowhide strop is the Tony Miller premium steerhide. It has the lightest draw of any cowhide strop I've tried.

I have some 3" strops, and my favorite cheap piece of horse butt hanging strop, I had that at 3" originally, too, but I cut it back to 2" and I like it better. 2 or 2 1/2 would be fine.

After this manic shift of ideas today, and some private suggestions, I'm going to get a kanayama 80000. I know when they'll be in stock, and I might be dead (from the wife) after it arrives, but it is what it is...right? Sometimes you can control the monster, and sometimes you just have to feed it.

If shells were $100, I'd go that route, but it doesn't sound like they are, so I am going to (for once) do the smart thing and open the wallet and let someone else do the work.