Thread: Kanayama Strop

I am thinking of getting a Kanayama strop.
The 30000 is 2.5mm thick and the 50000 is 4mm thick.
Has anyone tried both, and do you think it is worth the extra money to get the thicker leather.

I have the equivalent to the 30000 Kanoyama, great strop, I can imagine the thicker versions are even better.

I have both of them and they are both very nice. Pick out the one you think you will like the best and have fun.

I have a 30k equivalent as well and LOVE it, so if the budget is tight you'll still not regret it. Just an amazing strop.

My guess is they both do the same job equally well. The difference is in the physical piece which is why you pay more for the thicker one. I have the basic one.

They're great strops. I'm sure you'll be happy no matter what you get. If you have the funds, I'd opt for the thicker strop.

I've got one of the higher end Kanayama strops and have no experience with the two you're considering. From what everyone posted it sounds like you can't go wrong with whichever you choose. What I would do is send a PM to JimR the Kanayama vendor. Ask him about the differences in feel, performance of the two. If it was me, like zib, I'd go for the thicker one, but that is just 'cause I tend to think more expensive must be better ....... even though in reality I know it ain't necessarily so.

As a newbie, and just out of interest, are these Japanese strops very different to the traditional type? Apologies for my ignorance

Originally Posted by jaym72

As a newbie, and just out of interest, are these Japanese strops very different to the traditional type? Apologies for my ignorance

Basically a strop is a strop. They are a rectangular piece of leather, usually horsehide or bovine, and vary in width, and length. The old pro barbers strop was usually 23 X 2 & 1/2". In recent years the 3" width has come into favor. Strop makers have secret formulas with which they treat their leathers. There are also higher and lower quality leathers and by and large you get what you pay for. Strops by Kanayama, SRD, Tony Miller and the old HandAmerican are all of the highest quality. You can't go wrong with any of them. IME the higher quality strops are worth the cost. You can feel the difference as soon as you have one in hand.

Thanks for that. So do these Japanese strops have handles. I've had a quick look at the website and from the photos (although I'm looking on my phone) they just look like strips of leather albeit high quality...