Thread: Newbie looking to start with straight kamisori and finding a good one

Hello everyone. Quick intro: father of two, bit of a geek. Long ago studied a bit in Japan (hence kamisori interest reference below). Spent a few years in the UK and now back in the eastern US.

I've been keen to start trying life with a straight razor and have decided to get started. I'm definitely excited about the depth of knowledge here and the many things to be learning along the way.

My first step (obviously) will be getting the razor. Let's assume I'm sold on the straight kamisori (those long straight 50mm types). I think I first discovered the Iwasaki version and I'm comfortable with getting a pretty nice one and (at least now) have no intention of maintaining a big collection of razors. So I'd like one that's beautiful and useable and something you'd pass on to your kids.

I've done some research around a few topics. I vaguely recall seeing these Iwasaki ones for £200 a few years back. Reading up on Tamahagane (which it seems is most often what Iwasaki makes his from?) makes it sound like prices are high -- or that maybe there are cheap imitations around. Lots of debates about whether Tamahagane is better (vs other blue/white/whatever)-- I'm less fussed about it being made of that, but want quality and fair pricing. Not wedded to Iwasaki, just that style of straight kamisori.

Other info sources read as though the Tamahagane kamisori are now unavailable, though JapaneseNaturalStones lists one ($350) and seems to have a good reputation. Ebay is a source too with prices around $150 and up. Scarcity doesn't really seem to be the problem. But maybe I'm looking at the wrong stuff. And the broad range of prices I see makes me a little nervous about both poor quality and swindlers.

Also everyone stresses having the razor properly shave ready. So there's clearly a cost to honing with a good honemeister that needs to be considered. (Eventually I'd like to hone this myself...baby steps.)

So, any guidance on cutting through the info out there? If I pick up an Iwasaki, I guess I should generally look for prices around $300 if I expect it to be shave ready? Or I'll have to ship a cheaper one to someone (in the US) to hone it? Or am I way off?

Cheers,
Chris

I shave with wa kamisori and many other blade forms. I would suggest starting with a replaceable blade kamisori to learn the basics while you look up and study the myriad possibilities of wa Kamisori.
I could reccomend any by Feather, Sam Seong, CJB, Kai. Start with the Guard blades and then go to a PRO.
There a huge number of wa kamisori hitting the eBay now and many are quite good. I paid a lot more back when they were new to the market here.
There are a couple of folks here who do hone wa kamisori. Check the services classifieds.
Enjoy the chase, for you have just begun the journey!

Many thanks, Geezer! Definitely unaware of the notion of a replaceable straight razor (although seems totally sensible). What do you mean by 'wa kamisori'? Is that 'wa' as in Japanese?

Also curious what makes the PRO something to upgrade to? Sharpness?

Many thanks!
Chris

Originally Posted by fattyw

...snip...
Also curious what makes the PRO something to upgrade to? Sharpness?
Many thanks!Chris

The Feather PRO blades and the Kai equivalents may expose a bit more edge than the regular blades.
enter " replaceable kamisori blades" into the search box and hit enter. Lots of folks opinions.
Do Google or Yahoo search for "Feather blade information"
Way more than I want to go through today. Other shave fora do have information also.
Enjoy the searching.
~Richard

fattyw,

Please have a peek here :

Japanese Kamisori Razor and Straight Razors - KAMISORI Razors For Sale

Mr. Milton is a very nice chappie to do business with, and he charges ca. 9 USD for world-wide shipping.

I have bought six (6) kamisori from him with perfect satisfaction

The Henkotsu kamisori I have are fully as good as my Iwasaki (made by Mr. Mizuochi )

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

Hi chris. Welcome to SRP!

Everything you need to know is here and there are some great members with a fantastic amount of knowledge to share.

As Richard said a disposable blade kamisori is a good way to start as it does away with stropping, cleaning and maintenance etc.

However if you want to jump straight in a great vendor is aframestokyo.com. Takeshi is great to deal with and has 50mm Iwasaki for $230. These will come shave ready but are Swedish steel not Tamahagnae. Tamahagnae Iwasaki is a lot more expensive to buy because of the ancient forging process. I have both types of steel and couldn't tell the difference in the quality of the shave.
Aframes also sell a fair few other maker kamisoris at good prices.
I would also recommend that you buy a brand new kami. Some of the ones on ebay have quite a bit of wear and would be a nightmare to hone.

Enjoy the journey.

Mark

A good steel is "YASUKI STEEL." A low volume commercially produced black sand steel; the users of it are proud enough to stamp it on their blades. Black sand is the basis for Tamahagane which the individual smiths make the hard way..
I have found with only a few blades bought used, that all of them when honed to perfection will outlast my shaving by many years.
Start with a close to new blade! They are tricky to hone properly.
~Richard

Pull up Zigzagpapa on eBay. That guy and japannippon have killer Japanese blades and most appear to be NOS or very close. Both are excellent to work with!

Originally Posted by PhatMan

fattyw,

Please have a peek here :

Japanese Kamisori Razor and Straight Razors - KAMISORI Razors For Sale

Mr. Milton is a very nice chappie to do business with, and he charges ca. 9 USD for world-wide shipping.

I have bought six (6) kamisori from him with perfect satisfaction

The Henkotsu kamisori I have are fully as good as my Iwasaki (made by Mr. Mizuochi )

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

I can vouch for Tony Milton as well. A pleasure to deal with and a very helpful. He really likes what he does and takes great care of his customers. The Henkotsu I bought from him is a beauty and came shave ready as promised.