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Thread: New Japanese Razor
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05-28-2008, 07:08 AM #11
I think that is unlikely. When he decided to go for the blue handles, there was no international market to speak of. Even today there is no international market. The only way to get them is still via someone living in Japan.
Iwasaki razors have started appearing at various online retailers for the last couple of years, and he doesn't use the blue rubber grips.Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
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05-28-2008, 07:16 AM #12
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05-28-2008, 09:31 AM #13
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05-28-2008, 12:19 PM #14
Russel,
This is really nice. I like the hamon.
Two thoughts: On the Japanese razors I've honed, the "wedge" side was still hollow ground, so only the spine and edge made contact. You might consider using a 10" wheel for one side, which would allow you to preserve the hamon.
Also, I liked the idea someone had of blackening the handle to prevent rust. You could also dip a wrapped handle in epoxy or some other coating to rust-proof it while maintaining a traditional look.
Josh
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05-28-2008, 01:48 PM #15
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Thanked: 735For the tsukamaki wrap I figured there should be some sort of underlayment.
For Japanese swords they use shark's skin, or ray skin under the wrap, as it is like sandpaper, and gives the outer wrap something to grip. I thought perhaps if you were to dip the handle in epoxy, then sprinkle it with sugar, it would give an excellent moisture barrier, and awesome grip. That is what I've done to apply non-skid to windsurf boards I have made. The sugar absorbs the epoxy and thus becomes inert, yet maintains the 3 dimensional grit.
Then you can use whatever kind of wrap you'd like on top of that.
Anyhow, I'm busy working on some western style scales at the moment, but the idea of wrapping a Japanese razor has me intrigued.
As far as keeping the assymetry, yes I hear you all on that. That's the way they are made, so that's the way they should be made...I'm on board with that. But why not give the middle way a try? It may be the best of both worlds.
Or it could be a flop
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05-28-2008, 01:53 PM #16
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Thanked: 735Tsukamaki
For those who are interested...
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05-28-2008, 04:31 PM #17
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Thanked: 150Thanks to everyone!
All of your suggestions are being taken under serious consideration, I really do appreciate them.
Up next is #3 with a custom blade guard... stay tuned for pics...
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05-29-2008, 12:12 AM #18
Last edited by onimaru55; 05-29-2008 at 12:17 AM.
“The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.”
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05-29-2008, 01:31 PM #19
The pic shown is of an Iwasaki, his grinding and shape are telltale.
Russel, there's a kit casswell sells for doing black oxide coating on tools. This would give you the protection and old world look without having to use iron for the handle. AFAIK Iwasaki's handles are simply iron left unpolished and covered in mill scale from the forging.
Caswell Inc. - Black Oxide Kit
You would need to apply this coating after the heat treatment but before final polishing if you want the iwasaki look. I also heard somewhere you can mask the work with laquer (with a stencil perhaps) before dipping to achieve patterns.
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05-29-2008, 04:18 PM #20
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Thanked: 150There is a layer of scale on the blade from the forging anyway, I'll see if it is enough to protect the blade or not in the coming weeks as I have always just sanded it off previously.
Oh, and I guess I have been using pictures of razors that were not made by either Iwasaki or Tosuke, this one appears to have a truly flat wedge side.
The slight hollow would definitely speed up the honing, but I don't have a larger wheel currently, so I'll have to make do for a while.Last edited by Russel Baldridge; 05-29-2008 at 04:27 PM.