Thread: Western Style Kamisori

A project I started on a while ago, making a blade with an extended tang and adding a handle more like what I'd use for knife making, this resulted in a western (ambidexterous) Kamisori. Overall I think it went quite well. All opinions and constructive criticism is welcome.

Well,,,,it's different,,,,,,have you shaved with it yet? What are the scales made of?

Haven't used it yet, not yet shave ready as I misplaced my waterstones when I moved a few days ago. I made the handle/scales (forgot what they're called on kamisori) out of some scraps of wood I had laying around, I think basswood, with a shellac finish. I did try it in my hand, like in the last picture, with some pseudo shaving passes to see how it felt, surprisingly comfortable in the hand, I tried to use the practice I've had with knife handles to make one for a razor and that's the size and shape I got.

I like it and I don't know why we are not seeing more of this style, sort of a mix of kamisori and knife.

That's exactly it, I like the idea that most straight razor users who learned to use both hands have the flexibility to use either hand and use a more comfortable grip. While I like the delicate feel of a straight razor, I've always thought it might work well to have something a little more substantial to wrap your fingers around.

To shave properly, a razor is gripped by it's tang. Up close to the blade. I don't think holding a handle in-hand so far out there would be conducive to anything other than cutting one'self. This is why the tangs of one-piece razors are usually seen with minimal , long tangs to maintain balance. JMO
Such as this one :

Originally Posted by sharptonn

To shave properly, a razor is gripped by it's tang. Up close to the blade. I don't think holding a handle in-hand so far out there would be conducive to anything other than cutting one'self. This is why the tangs of one-piece razors are usually seen with minimal , long tangs to maintain balance. JMO
Such as this one :

Makes perfect sense, it does give a more delicate precise feel, but I like a bit more comfort which, just in my experience, lets me hold it more consistently, then again I've only done some pseudo passes since I haven't been able to hone it yet. I still hold the blade by the metal "tang", the wooden handle just allows me to spread my fingers a little more. Different strokes and all. Thank you for sharing.

Originally Posted by LazyH

Makes perfect sense, it does give a more delicate precise feel, but I like a bit more comfort which, just in my experience, lets me hold it more consistently, then again I've only done some pseudo passes since I haven't been able to hone it yet. I still hold the blade by the metal "tang", the wooden handle just allows me to spread my fingers a little more. Different strokes and all. Thank you for sharing.

My assumption(foolish of me) was that the above "Kamisori" you posted had been shaved with,,,,now your saying that you have not even honed it? What about all those DIY hones of yours?

What's a "pseudo pass" ?

Originally Posted by Hirlau

What's a "pseudo pass" ?

I have had those. Had to go back to the doorframe a bit!
LazyH, you seem to be a thinker! Your blade here looks pretty likely in shape. Has it been hardened in any way?
We will rib you, but respect you. Give us a chance to show you the proper way to do things. Read up on hones for razors and why/how. look at posts in the workshop and customs for info on how to make razors. Yes, lots love to experiment. It's fun.
A baseline of what is traditionally done to compare experimentation with should be paramount, IMO. Lots of money need not be spent. Due diligence looking for established items, vintage and used, will be rewarding as you proceed.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

My assumption(foolish of me)
was that the above "Kamisori" you posted had been
shaved with,,,,now your saying that you have not even
honed it? What about all those DIY hones of yours?
What's a "pseudo pass" ?

Yeah, those hones, both improvised and otherwise all went missing during the move, I even had a whole collection of really nice japanese natural waterstones I got at a discount from my martial arts instructor, those were nice. We lived in the middle of nowhere nebraska so when my wife became pregnant we decided to move to the edge of the middle of nowhere so we could find an actual doctor, and a whole bunch of my stuff seemed to vanish into thin air. Well, if I ever find them again I'll hone it up and give a review. It's all finished, heat treated O1 steel shaped to give about 15 degree angle on the bevel once it's set, the only thing missing is the stones to get that bevel.