Thread: Kamisori Questions?

Originally Posted by Nicko

Q1)
Q2) Does a kamisori razor have a full flat on one side or is it supposed to be slightly convex..? I have seen both?

Sorry to bother everyone. But I need wisdom.

Wanting to make a kamisori without shaving with one or any other straight is like wanting to perform brain surgery without studying anatomy & dissecting a few cadavers.
Here are some pics if it helps but wisdom will only come with experience & learning.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Nicko
You have to understand that you must first learn to stand before you can run...think about an infant. Have you ever been around a toddler that keeps asking why & you get frustrated with the why & start answering "that's just the way it is"? I mean no disrespect, however you need to understand that you are asking questions that you simply cannot understand until you obtain a bit of experience.

Learn to shave, then you will understand a lot more about the tool. Learn to hone, you will learn a lot about different hardness's of the steels, geometry, the list goes on. You will learn how the grind & balance effects honing and shaving. Many/most of your questions will be answered by your learning the tool. Studying photo's isn't enough, you have to know what you need the tool to do before you can design it when it comes to razors...PERIOD.

Wanna learn from the ground up? I will gladly show you the way to the best of my ability all the way. Just like a house, you need a solid foundation before you build it.

Yes, I have made razors & razor looking objects that became cutting tools for my leather-working buddy...

I will indeed be getting a razor to look at. First I need to order some nice vernier to take some accurate readings. I do want to learn and I am all listening. I will have to take some time to save money as I am trying to support a family by myself as well. Teach me everything you know and I will listen. I read everything you guys write and am mindful my knowledge of razor geometry is next to nothing. However It does not worry me I have plenty of time to read up. I accept anyones advice and teaching I don't belive I am arrogant and will try to carry out what you have said to the best of my ability.

I do want to learn from the ground up. But will be limited to the tools I have, I cant be going out and buying 2000 dollar machines and stuff. You know.

Regards and thanks to everyone who has posted.

Nick

Ps those last photos are great! When a razor like that is honed to much it would become not very useful right? I am assuming that the almost flat side would wear away till it is flat? Probably take a life time though.

Originally Posted by Nicko

Nick

Ps those last photos are great! When a razor like that is honed to much it would become not very useful right? I am assuming that the almost flat side would wear away till it is flat? Probably take a life time though.

Once a razor is honed it can be touched up on a finishing hone/pastes when needed so it will not wear out in a life time. As far as the razor getting flat from honing, this is another thing you need to learn, how are kamisori made. Traditional kamisori are kasumi, soft iron for mass and hard thin piece of steel that is used to do the cutting. In essence over used kamisori can be reground with the right tool.
You are not going to make your kamisori that way you will be doing stock removal, so yyou should not worry about fast wear of the razor.

One other thing, you mentioned you have no tools? How do you expect to make any kind of razor then? You will have to at least build a grinder. You will need a way to do heat threat, pretty much you are looking a pretty big rabbit hole here. Most guys that make custom razors have jobs and work razors because they really like the hobby but IFAIK it can't really support a family. Just trying to give you some perspective how things are.

Nick, can you see the thin dark grey section in the first pic on the left . That is the hard steel Stefan is talking about.

One other thing, you mentioned you have no tools? How do you expect to make any kind of razor then? You will have to at least build a grinder. You will need a way to do heat threat, pretty much you are looking a pretty big rabbit hole here. Most guys that make custom razors have jobs and work razors because they really like the hobby but IFAIK it can't really support a family. Just trying to give you some perspective how things are.[/QUOTE]

Lol I do have some tools. Linisher/mulitool grinder, Razor edge paper wheel system, and I remembered today that I have an old water cooled grinding wheel made by my Dad! This is the thing I would think most suitable to grind on. I am saying if someone says you need to buy a Tormek system or Radius master I would be outa pocket.

Nick

Originally Posted by Nicko

One other thing, you mentioned you have no tools? How do you expect to make any kind of razor then? You will have to at least build a grinder. You will need a way to do heat threat, pretty much you are looking a pretty big rabbit hole here. Most guys that make custom razors have jobs and work razors because they really like the hobby but IFAIK it can't really support a family. Just trying to give you some perspective how things are.

Lol I do have some tools. Linisher/mulitool grinder, Razor edge paper wheel system, and I remembered today that I have an old water cooled grinding wheel made by my Dad! This is the thing I would think most suitable to grind on. I am saying if someone says you need to buy a Tormek system or Radius master I would be outa pocket.

Nick[/QUOTE]I think you should do a search on grinders and see what people around here use, to get some idea.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Nick, can you see the thin dark grey section in the first pic on the left . That is the hard steel Stefan is talking about.

Hum its sorta like my japanese sword but the hard steel is on the outside!

Originally Posted by Nicko

Hum its sorta like my japanese sword but the hard steel is on the outside!

It is not, as I said above the razor is made kasumi, the sword (if real) is made similar to honyaki method.

Lol you guys are hilarious. I mean Similar heating methods and folding techniques are used . Tamahagane and alloys of it are used to make those razors in Japan. I meant the combination of a soft steel and a hard steel is similar to a traditional sword.

Originally Posted by Nicko

Lol you guys are hilarious. I mean Similar heating methods and folding techniques are used . Tamahagane and alloys of it are used to make those razors in Japan. I meant the combination of a soft steel and a hard steel is similar to a traditional sword.

Seems you have all figured out, so good luck in your endeavor.