Thread: So Many Blades From Japan

No one uses straights in Japan so they are easy to acquire. The few that are used are mainly used by professionals for cosmetologists and a few barbers.

I have a friend that worked for several years in Japan and he said it is very common for people to get a haircut and a shave quite often. He said he went every week as did many of the construction workers and people did not really shave themselves there, at least not in the group of people he was with.

Just a rumor you understand, but I've been told a few old, large Barber Supply houses in Japan have closed over the last few years and sold off their existing stock, which has been gobbled up by the usual suspects (JN, ZZP, JPK, et. al.).

Originally Posted by entropy1049

Just a rumor you understand, but I've been told a few old, large Barber Supply houses in Japan have closed over the last few years and sold off their existing stock, which has been gobbled up by the usual suspects (JN, ZZP, JPK, et. al.).

That makes a lot of sense.
It also goes with what RezDog was saying, if there are a bunch of people getting shaved, then laws passed similar to here concerning sanitation (new blades no re-use) then the old blades would need to be sold...
Put that with modern shaving, fast modern life, also many people live in tight quarters. My buddy is from Japan, I remember asking him if he wants a SR, I'd set him no charge, a gift.. he looked at me in a funny way and said "I don't have time for that, life's busy Tokyo, and have you seen my place?" Showed me a pic, really small, he said it was big for Tokyo!

I also wonder if the things have been outlawed and are being sold off. Seems the last bastion for good, later stuff.
No time or space for traditional shaves, it seems.

I too have been looking at a few choice razors from a seller in Japan, ZZP. There just seems to be so many of them... Seems like: if the deal is too good to be true... So some of you have had some good experiences buying from Japan. A little more positive feedback and I may have to bite.

Originally Posted by cau

I too have been looking at a few choice razors from a seller in Japan, ZZP. There just seems to be so many of them... Seems like: if the deal is too good to be true... So some of you have had some good experiences buying from Japan. A little more positive feedback and I may have to bite.

I have bought from a few vendors in Japan. JapanNippon and Zigzagapa and another that no longer has razors. I would buy from them again.

Originally Posted by cau

I too have been looking at a few choice razors from a seller in Japan, ZZP. There just seems to be so many of them... Seems like: if the deal is too good to be true... So some of you have had some good experiences buying from Japan. A little more positive feedback and I may have to bite.

ZZP is good to go, a stand up fellow. Used to list his razors with "Best Offer" ...man I scored some nice shavers from that guy...

Originally Posted by MikeT

That makes a lot of sense.
It also goes with what RezDog was saying, if there are a bunch of people getting shaved, then laws passed similar to here concerning sanitation (new blades no re-use) then the old blades would need to be sold...

Is that really the law over there?

Certainly in the UK many barbers still use a disposable razor for tidying the neck area after a haircut - however, they keep them in barbicide and use the same blade over and over. The point of my question is, if that's acceptable why should it not be considered acceptable for a straight? The conclusion is that a disposable is just so much easier.

Going back to TheBigSpendur's post - there are some videos of Japanese ladies having a full facial trim using Feather type razors rather than traditional ones.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Is that really the law over there?

Certainly in the UK many barbers still use a disposable razor for tidying the neck area after a haircut - however, they keep them in barbicide and use the same blade over and over. The point of my question is, if that's acceptable why should it not be considered acceptable for a straight? The conclusion is that a disposable is just so much easier.

Going back to TheBigSpendur's post - there are some videos of Japanese ladies having a full facial trim using Feather type razors rather than traditional ones.

Here the Province regulates barbers and I believe using a SR has been banned for many years, decades probably, in Ontario. Only a shavette is allowed and the blade changed after each use.

Bob