Thread: New/Used Kamisori guidance

I converted to a safety razor a year ago to get into wet shaving and learn. I'm ready to make the jump into straight razor shaving - and in the course of researching, have begun to feel the call of the Kamisori.

Money is an issue for me, so I'll be using what I purchase and have to live with it, so I'd like to seek some guidance and learn from others experiences.

There is a used item in the classifieds, that seems like it may be more collectable (not a goal, but it would be nice), and it is only $75 - any thoughts on this one?

INOUE TOSUKE - Japanese Kamisori - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

And then over on ebay, I see new items from Japan:

Japanese Straight Razor Kamisori New in Wooden Box | eBay

I figure either way, I'll be seeking sharpening/honing work at SRD, as I don't own stones myself.

Any thoughts or guidance? Am I better letting go of this and just get a new $140 European style from SRD?

Thanks for any guidance!

It's going to be hard for us to tell you what to learn on, because all of us learned on one or the other, and we will all probably think the one we learned on is easier to use (that is, in western vs. straight kind of discussions).

In terms of ease, I will say this much - if you're shaving yourself, there are a lot of japanese made razors that are western style. How many western razors (i'm not talking about boutique makers now, i'm talking about before the craze of wetshaving took off in the last decade or so) do you see that are kamisori shaped?

Neither is too terribly hard to shave with, but in keeping with my comment above, I learned with western style razors and I think they're probably a little easier to learn on, a little easier to strop, etc.

The first one seems well used, pics do not show very well the face so hard to tell how much wear there is on it.
I have honed one of the second kind you linked and it shaved very well.
IMHO you should start with a western style straight and learn how to use then go for variety.

I have nothing to add, except that I have the 2nd one you linked and found it to be very high quality and a great shaver.

I would have to agree with mainaman and suggest starting with a western style first. Kamisoris are a different breed of razor and require some skill to use and I can honestly say I purchased a kamisori from the eBay link and it was a great razor once professionally honed. Once I was able to shave with it and less than a month I sold it be abuse it wasn't for me. Like I said a different breed but if you wanna try it go ahead and give it a shot

The old time razor makers are pretty much dead or retired. The few who make new ones are pretty much unknown so if someone has one and they have a positive experience for that particular one I'd go with what they say.

Most who buy these razors use them rarely or not at all. A small number of members use them on a regular basis so just consider that if it will be your one and only.