Thread: Some Japanese razors

Well done! It is a real treat to see those razors.

I understand the function of soft and hard steel for Japanese weapons but why for smaller items like razors ?
Is it just traditional ?

Do you mean: why the soft handle?
the reason is simple. Good blade steel costs a lot of money. soft iron doesn't.
So what you see a lot is that the blade itself will be made from high quality steel, and the body will be made from soft and cheap iron.

This way the smith can strech his stock of quality steel.
I was told most blacksmiths had an old anchor from which they took pieces of iron for this purpose.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Do you mean: why the soft handle?
the reason is simple. Good blade steel costs a lot of money. soft iron doesn't.
So what you see a lot is that the blade itself will be made from high quality steel, and the body will be made from soft and cheap iron.

This way the smith can strech his stock of quality steel.
I was told most blacksmiths had an old anchor from which they took pieces of iron for this purpose.

Thanx Bruno.
Makes good economic sense as well as efficient use of resources especially if a smith was to use his valued Tamahagane.