Anyone ever used the Kanayama Board strop?

[danjared]

shoe leather nothing more, i can get that same piece in 14oz english bridle , for 15.00 shipped, i just made a whole strop for 35.00-14oz very thick---------it all depends on the person and what they want to spend i guess,

[top]Kanayama Board strop

150.00 normal-- on sale for 100.00------ or build it yourself and save 80.00 to 120.00

Sure, but at least this "shoe leather" is an excellent one to use and one of the traditional leathers for making strops. (Compare the number of antique horsehide and cordovan strops you can find compared to those made of cow hide.) In comparison, English Bridle is overly waxy and oiled, which is great for horse tack (its intended purpose) but lacks the finesse many want in a strop. Some like cheap gas station coffee too, but many others prefer something more refined.

In regards to "why not buy American", it's not an issue of buying American or not. What makes Japanese leather better in this case is that this strop is made by someone who is likely the very last professional of his kind. Some could care less, but I see no point in criticizing the work of a master artisan.

By the way, as far as I'm aware, I believe the number of cordovan tanneries in the world can be counted on one hand. Consider that and the scarcity of shell, and you'll notice that the price isn't so out there.

[Doc226]

Pretty, I like hanging better, and I prefer longer.

[Seraphim]

I thought that Kanayama was made from French cordovan?

[Woodash]

Now you've gone TOO far!

Mods! Mods! Where's a moderator when you really need one? That obscenity needs to be expunged from the forums!

Hmmm...Welll - I dunno. Both stinking up the celler right now at 0.500 (yeah, yeah, W last 8-10, I know....)

[Seraphim]

Maybe while they're down in the cellar they'll find THE very last box of Grelots....

[Greybeard]

By the way, as far as I'm aware, I believe the number of cordovan tanneries in the world can be counted on one hand. Consider that and the scarcity of shell, and you'll notice that the price isn't so out there.

Horween in Chicago and one or two in Japan as far as I know.

I thought that Kanayama was made from French cordovan?

Yep. It's legal to process and sell horse meat for human consumption in France, although they export most of it to Italy and China. The hides get exported to Japan.
Horween gets most of their hides from Mexico (where it's also legal to process and sell horse meat for human consumption).

[Seraphim]

Horse meat is also most definitely allowed for human consumption in Japan as well.

[global_dev]

. There was a thread somewhere of an American made cordovan latigo, but no one ever tried one so it's hard to pull the trigger on one. I don't even know what cordovan latigo is.

i thought, and for all intents and purposes, latigo was derived from bovine ungulates and cordovan was derived equine ungulates...

axiomatically, both ungulates have to be very delicious though to be suitable strop candidates ;)

[Seraphim]

I believe latigo also refers to the tanning process, or finishing process.

[global_dev]

I believe latigo also refers to the tanning process, or finishing process.

so as far as terminology, is cordovan cordovan before it's tanned? or is is just specific area horse leather at first?

[Kentos]

so as far as terminology, is cordovan cordovan before it's tanned? or is is just specific area horse leather at first?

I tried to google "cordovan latigo" bit no dice. I was under the impression cordovan was named after some city or area that started the specific tanning process. So cordovan latigo is like saying parmesan cheddar cheese IMO.

[Harvitz81]

I tried to google "cordovan latigo" bit no dice. I was under the impression cordovan was named after some city or area that started the specific tanning process. So cordovan latigo is like saying parmesan cheddar cheese IMO.

This is the only place I've seen "Cordovan Latigo"....

http://theimperialshave.com/pegasus-...o-razor-strop/

I've also noticed his prices continue to increase as I think they were around $100 to begin with. If he made them in 2.5", I would have been tempted to try them (this was back when they were cheaper). He has no interest in making them narrower though from email correspondences I've had.

[Seraphim]

Let us not forget Corinthian leather!

[global_dev]

from the B&B review of cordovan latigo

Cordovan (dark tan) - YMMV and not for beginners (imho). This side is quite a bit "softer" leather compared to the horsehide. I really like finishing my edges on this after the Horsehide. The draw is significant (rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being maximal draw, I think this would score a 9 or 9.5)

and from the site mentioned above

Cordovan Latago: Preferred by some, tried and true ~ offers a slower and creamy stropping experiance ~ a matter of preference.

something is up with a slower description and a review 9 score in draw, considering the cordovan shell i am used to which i would rate at the lower end of draw... maybe creamy, but not particularly slow..

wonder what's going on especially in the other review posted, by same person,

The Horsehide side speed is faster than the Cordovan (obviously)

my SRD horsehide is way faster than my cordovan, but neither compare at all in draw to the scrupleworks cowhide leather...

[danjared]

From what I have read, Latigo refers to a way of tanning cow hide, and Cordovan refers to a way of tanning horsehide. Shell is a specific part of the horse, and using the cordovan process for tanning it results in cordovan shell.

So, whatever these people are saying about "Cordovan Latigo" sounds bogus.

[Harvitz81]

From what I have read, Latigo refers to a way of tanning cow hide, and Cordovan refers to a way of tanning horsehide. Shell is a specific part of the horse, and using the cordovan process for tanning it results in cordovan shell.

So, whatever these people are saying about "Cordovan Latigo" sounds bogus.

That was my interpretation as well.

[brother cavefish]

It's not so much a Japanese thing vs American. There just isn't anyone alive anymore, anywhere, who makes a tried and proven cordovan hanging strop. There was a thread somewhere of an American made cordovan latigo, but no one ever tried one so it's hard to pull the trigger on one. I don't even know what cordovan latigo is.
I am a big fan of Tony Miller strops, which are made in the U S of A. His strops cost around the same too btw, and no 12 dollar strip of Tandy leather comes close, IMO. But then again I am biased LOL.

TM, whipped and others are great strops, and the price is where it should be------------i am sure the Japanese leather is sweet, but my biggest , complaint is the Overpriced tag on these and others, people seem to think that if its japanese, German, spanish etc. it much be good----------- while we got some good Ole boys right here blowing them away-----personally i made my own, and it kicks butt, and i guarantee its thicker than 90+% of other strops 14oz English bridle------

[global_dev]

TM, whipped and others are great strops, and the price is where it should be------------i am sure the Japanese leather is sweet, but my biggest , complaint is the Overpriced tag on these and others, people seem to think that if its japanese, German, spanish etc. it much be good----------- while we got some good Ole boys right here blowing them away-----personally i made my own, and it kicks butt, and i guarantee its thicker than 90+% of other strops 14oz English bridle------

we got some good Ole boys right here blowing them away

this is just one of the comments in your post where you are incorrect…

[danjared]

TM, whipped and others are great strops, and the price is where it should be------------i am sure the Japanese leather is sweet, but my biggest , complaint is the Overpriced tag on these and others, people seem to think that if its japanese, German, spanish etc. it much be good----------- while we got some good Ole boys right here blowing them away-----personally i made my own, and it kicks butt, and i guarantee its thicker than 90+% of other strops 14oz English bridle------

It has nothing to do with it being Japanese. It has everything to do with this being made out of authentic cordovan shell that is further treated by a master artisan. With no disrespect meant to Tony Miller (who is a first-class artisan), the maker of Kanayama strops operates a one-man operation and has been making these strops for a living for his entire career. (He is in his 80's.) If you don't think these strops are worth the price, don't buy them.

edit: oops, need some clarification. I meant to say "with no disrespect to artisans who make strops part time, like Tony Miller".

[GreekGuy]

Well said Jared. I think one of Jared's posts in another thread is of value here

This reply is a bit late, but there are some specific reasons that haven't been addressed that make the strops from this maker special.

First, Naomi Yoshimasa has been making strops for around 60 years. It has been how he has made a living for the great majority of his life, and I would not be surprised if he is the last person ever to do so. If I am not mistaken, he is in his 80s and seems intent to continue making strops until he no longer is physically capable of doing so. This is a man who knows more than probably anyone about how to make strops in the traditional manner and does so with great pride. He's dedicated his life to it.

Second, while the hardware does not look as high in quality to some, it is actually quite sturdy and more than adequate for the purpose not to mention well-designed. It is not too heavy while also not being too delicate. It is also specifically made for strops, whereas the hardware that other artisans use for their strops is almost always horse tack. (On rare occasion, some artisans seem to reuse vintage hardware.)

Third, his strops are simple in design, but this is by choice. A strop does not need replaceable or invertible segments unless you have damaged it. Kanayama strops aren't the disposable blade version of strops.