Shell Cordovan Leather Strop 6" x 1"

Genuine Shell Cordovan is the art of tanning at its finest, one of the most sought-after and expensive leathers in the world. More than just a color, it is a very specific leather, from a particular part of a horsehide. The shells are tanned, stuffed, shaved, and then polished – a process taking at least six months at Horween Leather Company in Chicago. Each shell is slowly steeped in gentle vegetable liquors. The shells are genuine hot stuffed and then slicked onto glass frames to dry. Each shell is hand-curried and shaved by highly skilled artisans to expose the shell. Dyes are hand-rubbed on for a deep aniline finish. Finally, the shells are hand-glazed to achieve the rich, glossy look and feel prized by fine craftsmen.

Shell Cordovan Leather Strop is mounted on high-quality aluminum with 45-degree bevels (Edge Pro form-factor). The thickness of the leather is approximately 1mm, and the thickness of the aluminum blank is 5mm.

Creating Shell Cordovan

Tanning: Genuine Shell Cordovan is obtained from the fibrous flat muscle (or "shell") beneath the skin of the horse's rump. The unique tanning process contributes to the leather's durability, sheen, and smooth texture. Horween, being one of the oldest continuously running tanneries in the U.S., has preserved the traditional methods of creating this luxurious leather.

Steeping in Vegetable Liquors: Vegetable tanning is an age-old process that utilizes tannins found in plant matter, such as tree bark, to transform raw hides into workable leather. This process imbues the leather with its distinct characteristics and ensures it ages gracefully over time.

Hot Stuffing: This step involves infusing the leather with waxes, oils, and greases to provide suppleness, richness, and protection. This also gives Shell Cordovan its unique feel and ensures that it remains pliable and resistant to the elements.

Slicking onto Glass Frames: After hot stuffing, the leather is stretched onto glass frames to dry. This step ensures the leather dries evenly, retains its shape, and achieves a smooth surface.

Currying and Shaving: The leather is conditioned and refined by hand, ensuring the shell portion – the most prized part – is evenly exposed. This requires the skilled hand of an artisan who shaves off any irregularities to reveal the dense and lustrous surface of the shell.

Dyeing: Unlike many other leathers, which are drum dyed, Shell Cordovan is hand-dyed. This means dyes are meticulously applied by hand to ensure even coverage and rich color depth. This hand-rubbing process also contributes to the leather's iconic shine.

Glazing: The final step involves using agate stones to polish and burnish the surface. This step is responsible for Shell Cordovan's hallmark glossy finish.

The end result is a leather that is not only visually stunning but also extremely durable. Products made from Shell Cordovan, such as shoes and wallets, are known to last for decades with proper care. The tight, smooth grain resists creasing and stretching, making it an ideal choice for high-quality leather goods.

How to Use

Working with Shell Cordovan is similar to working with other leather with one exception. You will not be able to fully remove the compound after applying it to the strop. If you want to change the compound, consider buying an extra strop.

Due to its tight grain and the specific tanning process it undergoes, Shell Cordovan is more water-resistant than many other leathers. This doesn't mean it's waterproof, but you can clean Shell Cordovan more easily than some other leathers.