Thread: Kamisori - or not?

Hi all,
It's been a while since I posted anything new - just finding things difficult since Dad passed.
It'll get better though.
Anyway, to the subject of this post - has anyone had much to do with kamisoris?
Sunbird dropped in the other day and mentioned that he had purchased one and found it really good fun and easy to use.
I have to say that it piqued my interest in the breed and I am now looking to see what the Bay has to offer cheap ('cause I'm out of work too)
I've read a heap of posts here and think I have a bit of a handle on things as far as wear etc. goes.
Anyone have any thoughts they would like to share?

Originally Posted by Havachat45

Hi all,
It's been a while since I posted anything new - just finding things difficult since Dad passed.
It'll get better though. Sorry for your loss. My Dad's still going at 86 & it's hard to visualise being without him.
Anyway, to the subject of this post - has anyone had much to do with kamisoris? Yeah just a little bit
Sunbird dropped in the other day and mentioned that he had purchased one and found it really good fun and easy to use. I might have honed that one.
I have to say that it piqued my interest in the breed and I am now looking to see what the Bay has to offer cheap ('cause I'm out of work too)
I've read a heap of posts here and think I have a bit of a handle on things as far as wear etc. goes.
Anyone have any thoughts they would like to share?

The eBay ones are often Hitachi Yellow steel which is sort of entry level for knives but can take an ok edge if heat treatment is good. They are not cheap being usually around $150 & may/may not come with warp issues. Much like buying a Dovo I guess. Being only 2" long you can just hone over the warp & live with the spine wear or if you're really cluey you can try to straighten them. The 2 steels, soft & hard allows this, unlike a western razor which is all hard steel. I've never bothered straightening one but it's possible according to Iwasaki.

Watch Glen's how to hone a Kamisori.
There are a few shave videos of Kamisori.
Then decide whether. A lot of them are beyond unskilled help. If you can see 80% of each of the hollows, the kamisori may be ok.
Yasuki steel is good.
I like them as a change from straights and Safety's.
After a bit the hand will automatically adjust for the asymmetrical grind.

#1 on the left is about as honed as you would want to buy.#3 and #4 are beyond amateur honing. #5 and #6 are for hair cutting, I am told, and #6 is a good shaver but worn.

Do a lot of research before buying and maybe buy new. I have the time and patience over time to go for a cheapy and cry or hone or both.
And, have fun!
~Richard

They seem to be going pretty cheaply at the moment. I've had nothing but good results from Yasuki steel kamisoris. They're certainly different to shave with but well worth the effort in my opinion.

Hey Geoff,
do you think you might be able to borrow one to get a feel for whether you really like it or not? I was lucky enough to be loaned several nice razors when I was first starting to decide what I wanted from a razor and it was really useful.
Regards Ed

Well, after lots of research, I put minimal bids on a couple and won them


For the price ($12 for both) I don't think I can go too far wrong - we'll see.
Thanks for all the help

Update
The 'Hamasa' honed up OK (I think, having never honed one) - thanks for the video, Glen.
Certainly is a different animal to shave with.
The other one took a fair bit of time on the hones to get the chips and frown out.
On the plus side, it took a fantastic edge - on the minus side, it seemed more difficult to shave with - my face looks like someone threw a cat at it ATM
Overall, it seems that I need to learn these little buggers.
Photos will follow when I get my camera working

Geez, you could have at least lashed out and spent $20 on the two

Yes, shaving with a sharp blade at the end of a stick definitely has a learning curve. Well worth mastering though I reckon.