Thread: Japanese Razor

I keep noticing Tony Millers' pictures of the Japanese Razors. I was wondering if many people have shaved with them. Is the technique similar to a traditional straight razor? Where can they be found for purchase? History?

Dr. Phong

Dr. Phong,
The Japanese razors have been an interesting experience. They are a bit different to use having a fixed handle and short blade. They other difficulty comes in them being concave on one side and convex on the other. This means that unlike a traditional folding razor which is hollow on two sides only one side of this goes against the face. The fully concave side is out and the convex side is against the face as it has a very slight hollow near the edge.
Compounding the issue is the fixed handle. With a blade that only has one side shaving the off side of your face requires you to bend you arm oddly and turn your head since the hnad must be towards your ear instead of the center of your face.
Japanese razors are not easy to find. Both the blue handled one and the bare hande one are of laminated steel and were made by an elderly gentleman in Japan who has a waiting list that may outlive him. I was given these as a gift by a friend of his.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

They are beautiful peices. I didn't realize they were so difficult to find. I have been looking around the web after seeing your photos in the gallery, and haven't seen any. I appreciate the info.

Phong