Thread: Japanese razors

Japan has such a tradition of metalworking and blades that I'm sure they have straight razors over there (besides the feather). Does anyone have any experience with Japanese straight razors? What are some good makes? Are there any good makes?

I'm curious about that one too.. I guess we'll have to wait for one of the real masters to give us some meaningful info.

Well, Japanese have razors, made in one piece, without handles. They also use one side for shaving, so they are hollow grounded from one side only. Tony has some of them, and I think there are still pics of them in his gallery...

Nenad

I'm not surprised, lots of their knives are one-sided as well. Seems like it would suck for shaving though.

Well as a matter of fact I have a traditional Japanese Straight. Its a Tosuke and is a one piece razor, hollow ground on one side only and is for shaving on that side only. It has a short stocky blade and is a real meat chopper and has excellent steel and gives a great shave. It's great for going sideways on the neck because its so short but the one handedness makes it a real challenge to use.

Where can you find a Japanese straight?

In a Geisha house

I have a few myself and there are photos in the Gallery under Tony Miller's Collection. As has been mentioned they are one sided. The bevel is on one side only and can only lay against the face one way. That creates a problem in that they are not made in lefts and rights but only a single side so shaving the off side of your own face is tricky. If used to shave someone else the bevel does not matter as the shaver can move around the face.

As an example when shaving the right side of my face the bevel is set so that the handle is towards my nose as one would hold a traditional straight. When shaving the left side though you cannot flip the razor side for side and keep the handle towards youer nose because of the single bevel. On your left side the handle now needs to point towards your left ear creating a cross handed type hold.

Hellishly sharp beasts made from forge welded, leminated steel. Mine were gifts froma Japanese collector so I am usure where to buy them.



Photo shows two Japanese straight razors, the box that one came in along with the wrapping/instruction sheet. They are leaning against a Shakuhachi flute crafted by me, Haunting Winds Shakuhachi.

Tony

Do you shave with one of those occasionally Tony? It seems that the single bevel would really require some limberness and great attention to technique.



Wayne, who'll stick with my regular blades

Wayne,
I have usd them both, the blue handle one quite a few times but it has been months since I had one out. Hmm, maybe tomorrows will be with one but they are tricky.

Tony