My Long Lost Kami

It’s nice to be home with my toys... Looking at my collection of straights, I wasn’t sure if today was going to be a Swedish steel kind of day, a British steel kind of day, or if my face was going to get some love from Spain, when out of the corner of my eye, I see this:

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Honest to goodness, for the life of me, I can’t remember who sold me this. I recall it was “made by a master,” but there was some kind of flaw something, so he couldn’t stamp it. Being poor at the time, I bought it even though it was still pretty dear. It came wrapped in Japanese newspapers! It has to be authentic right lol?

I wrapped the handle - clearly lol.

Anyway, the thing has never really given me a bad shave. I recall it being a totally different experience though. It’s never been “keen” - but it’s always mowed through everything! It’s a pretty smooth shaver, but somehow an effectively dull shaver. Odd.

Today I’m going to make it a keen shaver!

I took it and my loupe to my 10k. I worked the scratches as fine as possible and then moved onto my strops with 1, .5, and .25 micron diamond paste. I NEVER use the .25 anymore. Way too keen for me! But, there I went. The edge is so “polished” that a mere hint of light could send a signal to Mars lol!

Before shaving, doing a little practice run, I noted one side shaved marginally better than the other, but it mowed down my arm hair like nothing else. I’m pretty excited.

I’ll report back.

Well, there it is! A honed blade, a showered man with some Proraso pre, and a wallop of lovely haslinger shaving soap!

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I’m telling you, this is the weirdest shaving instrument I’ve ever had. I think I’m going to have to do a pass with it because in spite of her mowing everything down with no pulling, it still feels dull. It’s just crazy odd! It’s like my exbosses Mercedes, you’re driving fast, but it feels slow... and boring!

I’ve got too many other blades to play with to press on with this one, so I’ll put it in the display case and quietly wonder the odd voodoo behind it every time I look.

I got to say though, that haslinger shaving soap with a little Fine aftershave splash and some Acca Kappa balm leaves the fave feeling freaking awesome! Wow!

I honed my first kamisori (Brian Brown 2012) this spring and really enjoyed the shave. Too bad you did not come across this razor prior to sending me your soap sample shipment as I would have enjoyed the added learning opportunity. Oh, well, next time....

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Originally Posted by Speedster

I honed my first kamisori (Brian Brown 2012) this spring and really enjoyed the shave. Too bad you did not come across this razor prior to sending me your soap sample shipment as I would have enjoyed the added learning opportunity. Oh, well, next time....

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Man, that really is too bad. I might send it to you anyway. I'm not usually off on stuff like this and would love your opinion. Is it me or is it the steel?

Being you've put the nicest edge on a blade as I've ever had - I obviously trust you. Let me see what else I struggle with as I get through my collection.

I really enjoyed how kamisori honing technique differs quite a bit from than that used on a western straight razor -- lots of time spent on the backside and very little time on the show side. Another hands-on experience with a different kami will be much appreciated. Plus, I appreciated the fringe benefit of trying out new razors.

Thanks a bunch, David, for your confidence in my honing ability and the glowing compliment!

These Kamis are so cool and something i hope to own some day. But im afraid i will have to wait untill i can order a set. As i want a left and right grind. A set in a box. And i bet it wont be cheap!

Good luck on going thru all your razors David. Im doing the same at the moment. Its a long haul so my restoring is going much slower than usual at this time. Although my "needs honed" cup is empty at the moment, but the "test shave" cup is full. Got to get both empty before i can continue going thru the collection. Plus i plan on a few more sets of scales to start on next days off.

It feels never ending and i see no light at the end of the tunnel, yet!
Good luck my friend and keep on going thru them all as i am.

I use a right-handed kamisori with both hands, Jerry, FWIW. No big deal.

That's one razor i don't have. I'm often tempted on ebay with some of the more affordable ones (i don't care if it was made by a master or not) but i wouldn't have a clue if they are any good or wore out. Maybe some one could offer a Kami noob training thread?

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Originally Posted by tintin

That's one razor i don't have. I'm often tempted on ebay with some of the more affordable ones (i don't care if it was made by a master or not) but i wouldn't have a clue if they are any good or wore out. Maybe some one could offer a Kami noob training thread?

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That would be a great idea. It’s just not intuitive.

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Originally Posted by Speedster

I use a right-handed kamisori with both hands, Jerry, FWIW. No big deal.

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I understand this, but it would be so nice to have one of each. I too look on the Bay at Kami's but its so hard not knowing. So im with ya on that one for sure. Wouldnt want to buy a KSO. Ha.

I was loaned a Kami, got a great shave.!, but took me for ever to get there. Learning different ways to hold the razor, and not cut myself was the difficult part. I've been with a normal straight for so long, that its not worth it to me, to learn/ retrain myself . Well...I guess you could say I have a folding, western Kami, with my FON K3

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