New Japanese razor vendor on eBay

Here's a link to a new vendor who is selling what appear to be some very nice Japanese razors on eBay. I have to confess that I've bought quite a few of these along my journey, and I'm still not at the stage where I can get a fantastic shave from them, but I love the simplicity and aesthetics of the Japanese style razors. That being said, there are many eBay vendors who are selling just average, rusty, junked Japanese razors, and I know now to avoid them. This guy's razors look to be a cut above the rest, so I was wondering -- does anyone know who this dude is and has anyone bought from him? What do you think of the four or five blades he is offering right now? Here's the link and a photo for one of them. Enjoy!

Japanese Straight Razor: KAMISORI SWORD KATANA SAMURAI - eBay (item 110569114594 end time Sep-02-10 22:31:38 PDT)

I know nothing about Japanese razors so cannot assess the quality if this guy's stuff. However, I will remind you that Zeepks look pretty good too.:w

It's not exactly like Japanese razors are in widespread use in Japan or there are loads of guys who make them so probably the razor comes from one of the very few sources out there.

The price is very high.

Yes, it's a high price, but since I don't know which knife-maker is behind this one (or any of the others he is selling), I wouldn't comment on whether the razor is "worth it" or not. He is selling one other blade that is priced even higher and is supposedly made from tamahagane -- which is easy to claim and difficult to verify if, like me, you don't know how to read the kanji characters on the blade.

Anyway, I was hoping one of the resident experts on Japanese razors (like Old School, Jim R, Sired8 or others in this group) would weigh in here. Until I hear from them, I wouldn't even pretend to know what this guy is selling.

And yes, those Zeepk razors are da bomb, but they are just so hard to find for a decent price these days, am I right?! Almost makes me want to sell some of my precious Paki blades to take advantage of these prices!

Some of the blades he is selling are extremely worn... large bevels etc.. & not worth any where near his prices.... unless they have some historical significance.
A new Iwasaki is cheaper than the one in your link & a better buy from a shaving perspective IMHO.

Thanks for taking a look at them!! I saw the worn blades he was selling and didn't post photos -- figuring that they might not be worth the time to look at them. The razor above was the only one that looked like it is in relatively new condition, and I agree, the price is really, really high for this kind of razor. I have one of the new Iwasakis and several NOS Tosukes, and none of them cost nearly what this guy is asking for.

However, the seller's photographs looked well done, and I don't know much about the full range of razors out there, so I thought someone like Oz might be able to give me the final word on these blades. Sounds like they are overpriced, which isn't much of a surprise.

I'm at work, and eBay is blocked so I can't tell you anything, but if he's charging more than Iwasaki prices, he's gouging--all the vintage razors I've seen were almost always CHEAPER than new, unless they're by one of the big names (Tosuke, Iwasaki), and if they were big name he'd be mentioning them.

But again, this is all sight-unseen.

Thanks, Jim!! I was waiting for the cavalry to show up!!

Anyway, when you get back from work and have a chance, check out some of this guy's other blades too. He's got one that he's offering for nearly $600 that he says is tamahagane! Now I know that tamahagane is like the Elvis of Japanese razors -- lots of people claim to have seen it, but in practice, it's nowhere to be found. But his tamahagane razor also has a really cool handle with a grip pattern forged into the metal. Anyway, it's not like anything I've ever seen, so I thought that this guy might be the real deal.

Hope all else is going well with you!! Any cool new hones or blades in your collection, BTW? Haven't seen you post anything here recently.

Well, I took a look. That one you linked is new forged. The maker is not one I've heard of (not that that means anything), nor has google which is odd, but for that price? For a 1 chou gake? No way, jose.

BUT, that Tamahagane...it's authentic (according to the stamps), and well used, but it's a really unique design AND it appears to be pre WW2, which is rare as all get out in that kind of condition.

If I had the money, I'd buy it just because, but I can't say whether it's actually worth that or not. I think I have heard of the maker, but that's not saying much.

Jim, thanks for taking a look! I don't happen to have that kind of dosh just burning a hole in my pocket either, but I agree with you -- the tamahagane razor looks cool enough to buy. Anyway, I hope all else is going well with you!