kanayama strop.....the next

[Guest]

Dear mates and specialy Bart ,because i disagreed with him for the kanayama linen.I found another way.After i did all procedures that mentined in this post (Bart softening method,washing etc , i mixed dovo white paste with a water soluble color (like casia) i make the same color as the klinen stuffing the pores with this.Once dried the linen working very well
as the others linens.
Best regards
Emmanuel

 

[Paul]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a lot of work for such an expensive piece of kit?

 

[wdwrx]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a lot of work for such an expensive piece of kit?

No kidding. You can imagine my disappointent.:thumbdown:
When one purchases a product in that price range, I'd expect that it would need very little tweaking to get it to the point of usability. But (if I can borrow a phrase from Robin): de gustibus....

 

[DJKELLY]

Paul, Hoser, I felt the same way about the linen, but use the leather almost every day. It really is special enough to make up for the other. I just don't see how they could be part of the same system. It seems the consensus is almost unamimous that the linen needs work to perform to normal standards, and I don't see how someone who is experienced in the discipline makes one component so well and the other almost unuseable out of the box.

Then there is the simple Dovo.

 

[TM280]

Hi Denny,

I have to say from experience that I cannot fault Kanayama for using this canvas. It is almost impossible to source suitable linen component material. I would venture (on a limb here, and it is just my opinion anyway...) that the nylon being sold by other manufacturers is due to the fact that it is available in those sizes and works, not because it is in any way an improvement over the linens of yesteryear.

Maybe it works good enough, there are many that praise it. Not all users get the same out of the same components...

If the gentleman at Kanayama spent all of his time perfecting a linen, it's possible he'd never get anything sent out...(sound familiar?...: )

regards,
Torolf

 

[justin]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a lot of work for such an expensive piece of kit?

I might be mistaken but last I checked the linen was $20, and all you got to do is roll it on your dining table.

 

[jfdupuis]

I also have to agree that it's a shame that they cannot find a better linen strop. The leather is soooo nice that it just diminishes the whole experience for me..

 

[Paul]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a lot of work for such an expensive piece of kit?

I might be mistaken but last I checked the linen was $20, and all you got to do is roll it on your dining table.

The price listed for the strop combination that we're discussing is 30,000 JPY or roughly 360 USD. I've never seen where the linen was for sale as a stand alone item.

I still stand by the statement.

 

[danjared]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a lot of work for such an expensive piece of kit?

I might be mistaken but last I checked the linen was $20, and all you got to do is roll it on your dining table.

The price listed for the strop combination that we're discussing is 30,000 JPY or roughly 360 USD. I've never seen where the linen was for sale as a stand alone item.

I still stand by the statement.

Jim used to sell them separately. I have one, which I got to go with a vintage Japanese leather component.

 

[Bart]

The Kanayama linen is nice. Yes, it took some heavy-handed breaking in, but I now -without any further treatment- like it as much as I liked my Tony Miller genuine linen when it was new. Even though these are quite different (thickness!), they both have in common that the structure of the fabric can be felt in the fingers that hold the razor. The first fabric strop I ever owned was the V-woven linen from the Dovo "Russian" strop. That one has a very subdued feel. A feel that has spoiled me for all other strops! That's why I ended up filling one side of my Tony Miller strop with gypsum, and it's also why I will continue to experiment with my spare Kanayama linen. Not because it is supposed to be subpar in comparison within any other untreated fabric strop I know.

As far as the price of a Kanayana strop is concerned, it uses Cordovan leather, one of - if not the - most exclusive and expensive leathers available. As it stands, it also happens to offer an exceedingly nice stropping experience. It's a luxury product in every sense. The price is what it is. Cheaper and equally functional strops exist.

Kind regards,
Bart.

 

[Paul]

Ok, so you are saying you wouldn't prefer that the linen come "ready" for use at that price point?

When I buy luxury products, I expect that the work has been done already. If I didn't, I would make my own stuff. I do realize that not everyone shares my values, though.

 

[Guest]

I suspect that there is a reason why the linen underperforms in its original state. Maybe Japanese razors require a texture like this?

And as far as price are concerned, Bart has a point. I have one shell cordovan belt, and five pairs of shoes. The belt was relatively inexpensive at €450. I think that should put the prices of these strops into perspective. They are a luxury item. The feel good, they smell good, they will most likely outlive you, and there is absolutely no reason to buy them other than that. And that, I think is fine. Realistically, they cost as much as one or two fanboy razors, and most likely provide a lot more fun. So there.

 

[jfdupuis]

I'm not sure I would have purchased the strop myself, but I thought it was a perfect occassion to get one when my mom asked me "So what would you like for christmas!"

I've since removed the linen entirely and use another separate webbed fabric strop. The single layer and the lightness of the kanayama makes it very easy to handle. I'm not sure if I would get better results by using a strop with more draw first and then use the Kanayama, but I just love stropping on it. Sometimes I find myself doing 100+ passes just for fun. This is my first and only experience with cordovan leather, so I can't comment on how it compares to similar strops.

Cheers,

JF

 

[Guest]

Nobody commented on my proposal. With closed pores linen works very well. I decided to change the linen on my own strop , but I worked for those who want to keep it.I was waiting a comment at least from the associates and the researchers.
Thanks a lot.
Emmanuel

 

[Paul]

I suspect that there is a reason why the linen underperforms in its original state. Maybe Japanese razors require a texture like this?

And as far as price are concerned, Bart has a point. I have one shell cordovan belt, and five pairs of shoes. The belt was relatively inexpensive at €450. I think that should put the prices of these strops into perspective. They are a luxury item. The feel good, they smell good, they will most likely outlive you, and there is absolutely no reason to buy them other than that. And that, I think is fine. Realistically, they cost as much as one or two fanboy razors, and most likely provide a lot more fun. So there.

Debating the price of this stuff is pointless. I'm not questioning the value. Being reared in a business environment, having run several divisions of small companies, and being in the business of business, I don't really need a lesson on the value of this strop. What I am saying is that once we get to this price point, you're either going to buy it or you won't. Why not make sure the linen is functional? I mean, if I'll pay $360 for the strop, I'll pay $385 if that's what it takes to get a functional linen. But, once I get to this point, I'm not interested in having to modify it.

Again, that's just my perspective.

Emmanuel, I've read that post several times, and I'm not sure what you are wanting a comment on. I thought you were saying you tried to work on it and decided to trade it out with another linen and were offering to do that for others.

 

[Guest]

Why not make sure the linen is functional?

Has anyone tried the strop with a Japanese razor? I am asking because I find it difficult to believe that someone who sells dysfunctional luxury strops will stay in business for very long.

 

[tat2Ralfy]

I think a point that has already been made is maybe being over looked here, as Coticule users our demands on the linen component are quite high, for someone who uses say synthetics, or doesn't hone but strops to shave alone, I believe the linen on these is more than good enough.

I am not sure how closely Gary is following this thread? He sent me an RR strop that had a cloth component that sounds as if it performs like the kananyama? I use it every shave and it's great, but I would never use it after honing, for that job my high end Dovo does it nicely.

Best regards
Ralfson (Dr)

 

[garyhaywood]

I think a point that has already been made is maybe being over looked here, as Coticule users our demands on the linen component are quite high, for someone who uses say synthetics, or doesn't hone but strops to shave alone, I believe the linen on these is more than good enough.

I am not sure how closely Gary is following this thread? He sent me an RR strop that had a cloth component that sounds as if it performs like the kananyama? I use it every shave and it's great, but I would never use it after honing, for that job my high end Dovo does it nicely.

Best regards
Ralfson (Dr)

I have been following this thread. I use my TM linen after honing. The RR linen was much better from new. Not the finest out there but pritty ok. Once again not as nice as the leather on the RR. For the price you just could'nt complain.

gary

 

[wdwrx]

what the heck is an "RR"?

 

[Paul]

Robin, while you raise a good point, it's interesting to note that many report declines in razor keenness while using it. I am not sure how that would change depending on the type of razor being used (Japanese vs Western)