Thread: New Japanese Razor

Dan: I didn't post all the pics but this razor had the blue rubber handle so I thought - Tosuke. Maybe just a popular handle material.

Russel: Seems there is some variation in grind style maybe according to vintage or just individual preference of the smith so I guess you can make 'em however suits you. Doubt you'll get many complaints.

Russel,

Those pictures--have you actually held that razor in your hands, or are you guessing from the photos that one side is truly flat? That looks exactly like the other Japanese razors I've seen, and both sides appear slightly concave to me. Which side are you thinking is flat?

Josh

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Dan: I didn't post all the pics but this razor had the blue rubber handle so I thought - Tosuke. Maybe just a popular handle material.

If its got Tosuke on the handle then its a Tosuke razor. Contrary to speculation in the west Tosuke did not mass produce his handles and let others use them. He was simply one of many Japanese swordsmiths who for a nominal fee, would put "your" name or shop name on the blade where his would ordinarily go.
If the name isn't on the handle then its probably just a Japanese straight with a blue handle. If so, it would be good to see some pics coz the 2 most commonly talked about razors are Tosuke and Iwasaki, a new type would be a nice change.

@Russel. Is that straight still in your possession? If you could post a close up pic of the 3 Kanji on the right side that would be cool. I recall one of our members winning one just like that (or its the same razor) just the other week.

I guess there will be a new name to add to the mix anyway. The "Baldridge" razor. Got a nice ring to it eh.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

If its got Tosuke on the handle then its a Tosuke razor. Contrary to speculation in the west Tosuke did not mass produce his handles and let others use them. He was simply one of many Japanese swordsmiths who for a nominal fee, would put "your" name or shop name on the blade where his would ordinarily go.
If the name isn't on the handle then its probably just a Japanese straight with a blue handle. If so, it would be good to see some pics coz the 2 most commonly talked about razors are Tosuke and Iwasaki, a new type would be a nice change.

@Russel. Is that straight still in your possession? If you could post a close up pic of the 3 Kanji on the right side that would be cool. I recall one of our members winning one just like that (or its the same razor) just the other week.

I guess there will be a new name to add to the mix anyway. The "Baldridge" razor. Got a nice ring to it eh.

I found the group of pics but can't make out the name. Maybe the kanji gives a clue ?

The "Borudorijo" razor - definitely a nice ring

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

If its got Tosuke on the handle then its a Tosuke razor. Contrary to speculation in the west Tosuke did not mass produce his handles and let others use them. He was simply one of many Japanese swordsmiths who for a nominal fee, would put "your" name or shop name on the blade where his would ordinarily go.
If the name isn't on the handle then its probably just a Japanese straight with a blue handle. If so, it would be good to see some pics coz the 2 most commonly talked about razors are Tosuke and Iwasaki, a new type would be a nice change.

That's not entirely accurate. While Tosuke was alive, he may not allowed random people to get his handles. However, his handles are readily available nowadays, for whatever reason. I know two shop owners personally who will attach a Tosuke handle to any razor that'll fit one, regardless of who made it, if the buyer so requests.

Sorry, I do not actually own the razor in that picture. It is just a picture I was using as reference (from an ebay auction, so it could be the one you're thinking of, O_S).

And, as I said, I was just guessing that the one side was a true wedge (the shorter beveled side). I wouldn't put money on it.

It does kind of look that way from that picture. On the razors I've handled, which isn't that many, the side with the shorter face is actually the side that you sharpen; that's where the bevel is. The longer face is the one that you sharpen less, and it has no bevel. Both sides are hollow ground, possibly with different-sized wheels.

Josh

Russel that blade is gorgeous.
Love the curves and the proportions.
Keep it up! I'll be one of the first in line

A question for any antique owners out there.
Are the hollow grinds only on the more modern razors, say 19th century on ?
I wonder if these razors were originally profiled similar to a chisel or a marking knife with a single bevel.

The reason I ask is that I can't think of any antique Japanese blade that is hollow ground but my experience is limited to weapons.

My assumption is that hollow grinding was a product of the industrial revolution.
Even in the western world, razors were all wedges up to a certain date - no ???

I know what happens when you assume

Os

I restored and used this one before I sold it to the guy currently selling it here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/buy-s...ght-razor.html

It's hollow ground on the back, but it's shallow. After the obvious years of honing there's more bevel and spine than belly on the back.

P.S. no comments on the resto job... you should have seen it when I got it from EBay