Thread: If you're only supposed to touch one side of the blade to your face ...

I've read that kamisoris are only meant to have one side touching your skin. I'm okay with the concept but unclear on the execution. Seems that you'd have to be pretty creative in how you hold it for that to work. What's the secret?

Yes, you do have to be creative to shave the traditional way If that's the way you want to do it there are a few vids on SRP and You Tube that demonstrate how to accomplish this. A former member here, JimR, did a good vid a few years ago and that would be a good starting point.

That being said I've used the "forbidden" side of a kamisori with great results. Sometimes I'm more inclined to go with practicality rather than tradition

I confess I've never gotten one to shave with because of the one side thing. Also that I know I prefer a folding razor to a straight style. I feel the folding scales are an advantage in manipulating the razor depending on where on your physiognomy you are.

I'd like to handle one. From the pics I've seen there seems to be quite a large bevel on one side and essentially nothing on the other. Much like my single bevel Japanese kitchen knives, not surprisingly. But I use them to slice, not shave, so ... different priorities.

I know what you're saying. When I only hold the razor by the metal it's a very different feel than when the scales are involved.

I heard something recently that suggested that using one side only is a tradition that applies to barbers rather than individuals - it would certainly be easier to manipulate the razor if shaving someone else.

I certainly don't try it and can't tell the difference between the sides anyway so it's difficult to see the point.

I can only use my right hand for shaving so that's how I use all razors, Kamisori and Western, never had any problem!

Using just one hand for shaving with a western has nothing to do with a kamisori because whichever hand you use flipping the razor as you shave is a totally alien concept as compared to kamisori. However in the end if you use one the traditional way it's just something you learn like driving a car with a manual tranny.

We've discussed the Kamisori is for barbers only line of thought but I think, if you want to believe every Japanese guy went to a barber for a shave then you probably believe in Godzilla.

Shaving with only one side of a kamisori is only difficult if you intend to try to shave all WTG (or all XTG or all ATG). If you don't focus on how you shave with respect to the grain, it's not really an issue. Once you try it a few times, obviously; anything that's new is tough at first.

The idea of starting (and finishing) my neck or cheek with only ATG is a bit off-putting ...