Kanayama Strop Review

[hokahay]

So this is a lot of beating around the bush to say the leather is better then the leather used in my TMs? And maybe I should buy one and then cut out the leather and put in in my TM?

TM makes a very fine product, lets make no mistakes about that.

If the handles (or lack thereof) are a deal breaker for you, and you think it would be comfortable without them, than the Kanayama isn't for you. The leather on these strops are a luxury. Functional, yes, but above what is really necessary. They have a simpler look. The barber's ends have been the standard forever. Theres nothing at all wrong with them. I love my TMs and use them most often, but the Kanayama leather is really something special

 

[Obiwan]

I love my TMs and use them most often, but the Kanayama leather is really something special

Well said. I'm a HUGE fan of my TMs as well. Is the Kanayama a neccessary purchase, no. It's a luxury for sure. IMO, the leather and suede components on these are different enough from the TMs I own to justify the splurge. It really is a joy to use. It's like comparing two different fine razors from different makers with different grinds. Both will shave you just fine. Some people will prefer one over the other. Other feel the need to own both. Same thing here.

Beside, if you don't buy one, it just makes one more for Doc to buy. I heard he was having a couch made out of Kanayama strops.

 

[Seraphim]

Yes, a kamisori is different than a western straight razor. So, i can see owning one. I was even looking at a couple. But I could cut the handles off my TM and have a very simper if less functional strop like this japanese one.

Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of getting one.

Or perhaps you are trying some reverse self psychology?

All I can say is that you are way off base by saying it lacks a comfortable grip. Slick cordovan on one side, supple suede on the other? It just does not get any more comfortable to hold than that in my book.

 

[Seraphim]

I heard Doc was making a hammock, err, a Kanayamock out of Kanayama strops....

 

[cleanshaved]

Tell you what, get one and then post you review.

Would love to but as I have only been SR shaving for 4 month I think it is best to learn 100% the strop i have at hand.
this strop is nice just not quite yet for me.
I am keen to learn as much as I can before buying another strop, these posts help alot and good laugh as well.
Don't know if the Mrs would like the boom-chickki-boom-boom coming out of the locked bathroom LOL

 

[GreekGuy]

So this is a lot of beating around the bush to say the leather is better then the leather used in my TMs? And maybe I should buy one and then cut out the leather and put in in my TM?

In my PERSONAL opinion, I think the leather is "better", yes. However, even though you haven't been shaving with a straight that long you have probably come to realize that there is enormous variation in personal preferences. Some like coticule edges, other like thuringian edges, others like JNAT edges. Nobody is wrong, just difference in opinions. Some like full hollows, some like wedges.

I think the Kanayama is fantastic, but I also like square points and a Thuringian edge. So it really isn't any different in that regard. There is no such thing as universal best. The sooner a person comes to term with that the less time, money, and effort they will spend chasing that "perfect" whatever. That being said, the next razor I buy will the the perfect one

 

[Doc226]

What I want to know is this. I have a TM SteerHide/linen and a TM Novotan/cotton. What is so compelling about this strop compared to my two old-timers and their four different components? It doesn't have the comfortable leather grips. The hook hardware looks to be lower in quality. It doesn't disassemble to invert the direction. Do I need to put on my beer googles and leave out the credit card?

It is different, I agree 100% the TM is better made strop. The Leather and sure on the Kana (I'm on a first name basis) is like nothing else

Yes, a kamisori is different than a western straight razor. So, i can see owning one. I was even looking at a couple. But I could cut the handles off my TM and have a very simper if less functional strop like this japanese one.

Not the same

TM makes a very fine product, lets make no mistakes about that.

If the handles (or lack thereof) are a deal breaker for you, and you think it would be comfortable without them, than the Kanayama isn't for you. The leather on these strops are a luxury. Functional, yes, but above what is really necessary. They have a simpler look. The barber's ends have been the standard forever. Theres nothing at all wrong with them. I love my TMs and use them most often, but the Kanayama leather is really something special

I agree the TM is a tremendous strop, the Kana is different

So this is a lot of beating around the bush to say the leather is better then the leather used in my TMs? And maybe I should buy one and then cut out the leather and put in in my TM?

If you like handles you can do that. Or just get D rings and put then on Kana

Beside, if you don't buy one, it just makes one more for Doc to buy. I heard he was having a couch made out of Kanayama strops.

I am making leather Kana pants, sue side in

Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of getting one.

Or perhaps you are trying some reverse self psychology?

All I can say is that you are way off base by saying it lacks a comfortable grip. Slick cordovan on one side, supple suede on the other? It just does not get any more comfortable to hold than that in my book.

I thought I needed handles, I don't. I will not be selling my TM, its like having a BMW and a Mercedes-which one is better-cant tell they are both very fine, but different

I heard Doc was making a hammock, err, a Kanayamock out of Kanayama strops....

Nope, leather pants

Would love to but as I have only been SR shaving for 4 month I think it is best to learn 100% the strop i have at hand.
this strop is nice just not quite yet for me.
I am keen to learn as much as I can before buying another strop, these posts help alot and good laugh as well.
Don't know if the Mrs would like the boom-chickki-boom-boom coming out of the locked bathroom LOL

Boom-Chikki-Boom-Boom when alone-we will not tell

In my PERSONAL opinion, I think the leather is "better", yes.
That being said, the next razor I buy will the the perfect one

I would say the leather is different, the Suede side is amazing

Me too, the next one I buy will be perfect, until the next one.

 

[hokahay]

Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of getting one.

Or perhaps you are trying some reverse self psychology?

All I can say is that you are way off base by saying it lacks a comfortable grip. Slick cordovan on one side, supple suede on the other? It just does not get any more comfortable to hold than that in my book.

Hahaha, yes I am talking myself out of it. It's true.
I pulled the trigger on one twice, but both times the site failed to complete the transaction. The confirm ends up back at the beginning and I never was charged.

I have a good collection of things and probably cut back on buying. But then ahh one little thing.

 

[blademen]

Good looking Strop Doc.

 

[Doc226]

Hahaha, yes I am talking myself out of it. It's true.
I pulled the trigger on one twice, but both times the site failed to complete the transaction. The confirm ends up back at the beginning and I never was charged.

I have a good collection of things and probably cut back on buying. But then ahh one little thing.

You know what the saying is, if at first you don't succeed, try try again

Good looking Strop Doc.

It is a gorgeous strop, and it feels even better to actually use it.

 

[Great White Shavealo]

Just opened up a box dropped on my door step. Inside the box... one fine Kanayama strop. I won't bore anyone with more pictures, but one. This is one damn fine strop! When I touched the Cordovan leather I immediately fell in love. The felt (Edit: sorry not "felt" but suede... too much espresso flowing through me right now!) is great, too. But the Cordovan...

I immediately stropped on it. The draw on the Cordovan is exceptional. There is no doubt about it, this is an excellent strop and I am thrilled to have it!

Edit2: In the picture is a small piece of paper that was stuck on the gold embossing. I removed the paper and all is good. The leather craftsmanship is excellent. The hardware for hanging is not impressive, but it does its job nicely.

 

[Doc226]

Just opened up a box dropped on my door step. Inside the box... one fine Kanayama strop. I won't bore anyone with more pictures, but one. This is one damn fine strop! When I touched the Cordovan leather I immediately fell in love. The felt is great, too. But the Cordovan...

I immediately stropped on it. The draw on the Cordovan is exceptional. There is no doubt about it, this is an excellent strop and I am thrilled to have it!

View attachment 239973

I never get tired of pictures. It's like looking at razor porn but in this instance it's strop porn.

 

[Doc226]

Can't wait to hear Kent's review.

 

[brother cavefish]

these are definetly beautiful, but i am making my own for thirty dolllars, 13 oz english bridle and D-rings, i will post pics when done

 

[Kentos]

Wow! Lot of action in this thread.

Despite living only 20 miles away it was too much hassle to meet Takeshi to get my strop. With gas at over 4.50 a gallon it wasn't worth time to drive in Oahu traffic...

So I await a package whilst doing the pee pee dance...as a Tonymillerstropaholic it will be interesting indeed.

 

[Doc226]

these are definetly beautiful, but i am making my own for thirty dolllars, 13 oz english bridle and D-rings, i will post pics when done

I'm sure yours will be great, looking forward to the pics.

Wow! Lot of action in this thread.

Despite living only 20 miles away it was too much hassle to meet Takeshi to get my strop. With gas at over 4.50 a gallon it wasn't worth time to drive in Oahu traffic...Y

So I await a package whilst doing the pee pee dance...as a Tonymillerstropaholic it will be interesting indeed.

It compliments the TM strops wonderfully.

 

[Seraphim]

Wow! Lot of action in this thread.

Despite living only 20 miles away it was too much hassle to meet Takeshi to get my strop. With gas at over 4.50 a gallon it wasn't worth time to drive in Oahu traffic...

So I await a package whilst doing the pee pee dance...as a Tonymillerstropaholic it will be interesting indeed.

Try Boston traffic sometime for a change of pace.

No palm trees. No 85 degrees and sunny with a nice tradewind to whisk away the exhaust fumes.

Nope, just embittered Bostonians, pot holes from the winter summer freeze-thaw cycle, one way streets, and more embittered Bostonians (I happen to be one, as a matter of fact...)

 

[Woodash]

^ And then there's the Sox....

 

[Obiwan]

Boston traffic........Sox.........I thought this thread was supposed to be an escape.

 

[Seraphim]

^ And then there's the Sox....

Which is, of course one of the root causes of Bostonian embitterment!

Not to mention the fact that when there is a Sox game, not only are you aware that there is a good likelihood that they are going to blow it, but on game nights traffic in Boston reaches all new heights of frustration, horn honking, obscene gesturing, swearing and gridlock.