Thread: Unmarked Iwasaki razors on ebay

These are a few examples.

Surely they do not look same because they are not the same?
Older examples are not necessarily proof to me that my later example with etched stamp is a fake.
Certainly the more valuable pieces are the older ones.
Thoughts and feelings go a long way. Just not concrete proof.

If they're fakes the faker must be a lousy businessman. Why not add the tamahagane stamp rather than sell them as Swedish steel ? More money in folded steel.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

If they're fakes the faker must be a lousy businessman. Why not add the tamahagane stamp rather than sell them as Swedish steel ? More money in folded steel.

I suppose my point, Oz. I think these were the last of the marque.
As it were?
They may have been made on the cheap to compete with other makers.
Perhaps someone bought the name and gave it a go?
Too few surface to have an idea of being fake, I think?

Oh well. Something will come along someday about them?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

They may have been made on the cheap to compete with other makers.
Perhaps someone bought the name and gave it a go?

There is a lot of collaboration or simply making a living for some famous smiths.
eg Tsukasa makes machetes for Ajigataya.

I even have a Kai cutlery paring knife with Shigefusa stamped on it.

Hi,

For a really long time I’ve been doubting about this etched type of Iwasaki razor,
if they’re real or fake... For now, because of these facts, sadly I think they are fake...

https://historyrazors.wordpress.com/.../fake-iwasaki/

Regards,

Tokiwa Razor,
No 岩崎 Iwasaki logo.
Acid treatment appears "hamon"

Acid treatment appears "hamon"

A Japanese seller had a blade up for sale, and he clearly stated that his Iwasaki was NOT genuine, that it was a high quality counterfeit. He made a point of stating that it is a fine blade, and shaves excellent but that he believed it to be a counterfeit as Iwasaki did not use etching. Its possible that any blades without an actual stamping are counterfeits. Acid etching will NOT just "wash off" but the super thin layer of some modern markings certainly will. They are practically a painted on layer that will wear away in short order if you do not take care of them. I am a cheap bastard, so as far as I'm concerned, I'll pay 30 bucks for a high quality counterfeit because it IS high quality. But if Im going to buy something because I expect both the magic and prestige that comes with a name brand, that name brand had better be "set in stone" so to speak In an earlier part of this thread, somebody mentioned sending the razor to another person for an opinion on it, As expected, the answer of "it gets sharp and shaves" is all your really going to hope for anyway. Besides, unless you hone Iwasaki Tamahagene blades on the regular, you would never be able to feel a difference between them and any other blade you hone. Just my useless 2cent

Indeed, that seller is barber_san (ebay), aka “Florin Pincotan” (Zen Razor Japan)
as in the article, and he made this conclusion together with "ovidiucotiga".

And, indeed, as said in the article:

"This doesn’t mean they are bad razors!
Suzumasa’s are excellent Japanese straight razors!"



Thanks!