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

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

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.

Very nice! Where can I purchase one of these razors?
Man thanks,
Mike