Originally Posted by
dcarmell
I imagine I will get ripped for saying this, but there is no benefit apparent to me in only shaving with the concave side. I can assure you that I've used two different Japanese SRs and neither was created problems for me using both sides.
Purists will say that the "correct" way to use a Japanese SR is to only use the concave side and I believe it--but if it doesn't hurt the blade or me to use both sides, then I'm willing to be less than a purist!
And I'll note that what's-his-name (let's use the Harry Potter naming convention) over at B&B says that Iwasaki said his razors were intended to be used with both sides--of course, his razors appear to have two concave sides, so that may explain that.
now ducking, Dan