Thread: Information on obtaining a quality kamisori?

Alright, I know this has been posted before and I have searched throughout the forums and have not found much success. If someone can point me in the right direction that would be awesome, but on to my question..

So basically I would eventually like to obtain a kamisori, but i really have no idea what I'm looking for. Looking at modern western razors (specifically on ebay) I know how to look for hone wear, edge condition, and feel comfortable in my ability to distinguish what a razor that needs minimal restoration vs major restoration and all the comparable prices. With Kamisori's though, they all look very similar to me and all have variable price ranges, so i don't even know where to begin. The only distinguishable feature I can see between the razors are the handle material and the blade length. Can someone give me a fairly good run down on how to find a decent kamisori that is not too expensive? Im thinking at most 150$ and that is probably pushing it. I do feel though that if I buy a quality one, and hate it, I can resell it for what i got for it.

Thanks in advance!

So for example, as far as I can tell, these two razors are identical, except one is missing the wrap. I am basing this assumption on the markings of the razor. One of them has a wrap on it and the blade is much more worn. The other has no wrap, but the blade looks to be in much better condition.
Razor 1:


Razor 2:


So my first question, is whether or not either of these would be considered a 'quality' shaver, and if they could hold a 'wicked' sharp edge. And my second question is how they are relative to each other. Assuming that these are in fact identical razors, one is obviously worse for wear. Could the one that has been abused more be restored to a condition that matches that of the 'less' used one? I ask, because one of them is half the price of the other...
Thank you!
And for the sake of discussion, lets assume both need to be honed. :P

With kamisori it's all about the maker. Yes they all look the same and the presence of wrapping means diddley. if it has the proper profile towards the edge even with a good amount of wear it can still be a perfectly good shaver. So the answer to your question is really buy the maker. It's as simple as that.

The next question is who are the makers? realize in Japan really no one uses a straight razor they use electrics and cartridge razors so the kamisori go to collectors and for export to the U.S. So, there aren't really that many made. Tosuke and Iwasaki are the two most renowned makers. Unfortunately Tosuke is dead and iwasaki I think is still alive but makes no razors. He does have apprentices who are making them. So this is what you need to research, the current makers.

Ok, so I understand that Iwasaki is the best you can get, and and you have to pay for it. In a different thread, Someone said that the cheapest you can get them is if you get lucky finding an auction where the owner doesnt know the true value, and they'll go for around 300$
Am I being unrealistic in my expectations to find a razor for under 150$?
And does anybody know if Yamamasa is a reputable maker?
Thanks!

You can keep an eye on SRD site, they carry new Iwasakis as they come in (from apprentice like bigspendur said). I believe they run $275 for the smaller size.

There is no doubt the some are more sought after then others (Tosuke Iwasaki) Sorta like Westerns with Filarmonica's, DD's and W&B's but much like Westerns there are plenty out there that shave well

Personally I don't read Japanese so half the ones I hone I have no real clue what the names are, Does it hone and shave well that is all I want to know

Of the ones out there that I sorta know the names on

there is one name Henkotsu or something like that that I have done a few and they shaved fine
there is one that starts with Yama???? something or other and it also gives a good shave

Other then those two I would look for a Vintage in good shape and take a chance, it is no different then looking at a vintage western razor with an unknown name and taking a shot on it...

You could also try contacting a few of the guys on the forum that read Japanese to help you with the Kanji...

I bought one on a lark sometime back that translated to something like "Shaves Great" or "Shaves smoother than others" and it sure did hehehehe

Ok, all that information is very useful, thank you for all the input! Based on the first two pictures above do you think that would be a good razor to start with? I just think that all the scratches on the back side look a little weird...
I am pretty sure that razor is made by Yamamasa.

Out of the two you are showing...

I like the looks of the second one better, the razor looks even in the pics...


Any other opinions, we would probably have to switch to PM, since we don't really allow much discussion about buying and selling on the open forum

Originally Posted by Xyphota

So for example, as far as I can tell, these two razors are identical, except one is missing the wrap.

Those razors are worlds apart. See the grind on the very first picture - here are my annotations of the eye-poking issues:

Originally Posted by gugi

Those razors are worlds apart. See the grind on the very first picture - here are my annotations of the eye-poking issues:

When I said Identical, I meant that if both of these razors were brand new, they would be identical :P
But Thank you for detailed analysis! That is really what I was getting at!.

I have never seen facets like that before, what would those be from?