Thread: New Japanese Razor

Just finished my 2nd attempt at the traditional Japanese style razors, I think it turned out a little nicer this time.

Blade steel is, again, 1095. I got a little more creative with the hamon this time (the hamon is the wavy line on the faces of the blade where it was selectively heat treated to create a super hard edge with a softer spine), but I like it better than the previous one. I hand sanded it up to 2k grit, and applied a coat of Briwax so that it would resist tarnishing a little bit. Hardness is around RC 62-64.

These are pretty fun to make, I've already got ideas for the next one (or two... or ten).

As usual, critiques are more than welcome.

I like the modern interpretaion. Does this one have a western bevel on it?

Very nice!! Are these going to be sold.Is there a special honing method on these razors.Interesting!

This has the traditional asymmetrical bevel (which I actually may like a little more than the western style, but haven't really had enough time to make a solid decision).

I may be in the market to produce a few for sale, but I don't want to agree to anything just yet since this is a new thing for me.

No special honing procedure. I taped the spine on this one and honed it as I would a western straight because the hamon is so nice I didn't want the wedge side to lose it after the first honing (like the pattern on a damascus blade). The steel is so hard that you'd be really abusing this thing if it got worn to a point that the geometry were altered significantly during your lifetime.

I like the shoulder on this one better. Very nice.

At this rate #3 is gonna be an Ace!

Looking better and better.


I've been kicking around an idea: What if you were to put a symmetrical bevel on the Japanese style razor? Say you make it a 1/4 gound each side. Then there wouldn't be the issues of only using one hand, etc. But it would still have the long straight handle, and short cutting edge that seem to be the hallmarks of the Japanese style razors. Well, and not to mention, the very high Rockwell #'s!

I've also been thinking to get one and wrap the grip tsuka-maki style. I think that'd look cool.

Keep up the great work! And thanks for sharing the process with us.

Beautiful blending of the elements, shows in the hamon. Even nicer than the first one
The Japanese have strange geometry concepts (to us) in blades and also archery equipment but
from your experience sounds like honing & shaving with these beauties is an easy transition
Maybe if it ain't broke don't fix it.
However I imagine you could make whatever profile a customer wants ?

Os

I prefer this one to the first as well. I had fun with the hamon, probably my favorite part of the razor.

I've thought of doing the symmetrical grind, but then that kind of takes the fun out of it. I am kind of liking the way the asymmetrical grind shaves.

I've also thought of the handle wrap, and did a rudimentary leather wrap on the first one (see first thread) but it might invite rust because of the moist environment.

Thanks for the compliments!

Anything that could be better? Seriously.

Did I say l like this razor ?
I think any traditional wrap, be it leather, silk or cane would be ok with a coat of urushi or similar to waterproof it.
Japanese sword handles were sometimes coated this way. Easier to clean the blood off I guess.
Let's hope that's not a factor.
Plain unwrapped suits me just fine.

Os

The blade on the second one appears somewhat longer than the first. Just an observation.
Does look good though, I wish I could do stuff like that, be it Japanese style or western.

EDIT: On second thought perhaps its just the photo angle.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I've thought of doing the symmetrical grind, but then that kind of takes the fun out of it. I am kind of liking the way the asymmetrical grind shaves.

Couldn't agree with you more here. Giving it a symmetrical grind would make it a western style Japanese razor. The asymmetrical grind helps keep it Japanese style. JMHO.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I've also thought of the handle wrap, and did a rudimentary leather wrap on the first one (see first thread) but it might invite rust because of the moist environment.

I thought that black (charred?) metal acts as a rust inhibitor no? But then that might be why Tosuke changed from the cane wrap to rubber grips, and why Iwasaki doesn't put a wrap on his. Though Tosuke's rubber grips were probably more to meet international safety regulations. (last sentence is just my theory/conjecture).

That good work Russel. I like your hone BTW