Thread: Kamisori Honing

Another consideration is how the user intends to shave with the kamisori, with one or both sides. If honed using traditional ratios, the Ura (stamped side) facing down toward the face can be very harsh. As stated, properly setting up the Kamisori is extremely important.

I notice no difference and/ because the ratio of( strokes of each hone type) per side of the bevel remains the same for each side.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

Another consideration is how the user intends to shave with the kamisori, with one or both sides. If honed using traditional ratios, the Ura (stamped side) facing down toward the face can be very harsh. As stated, properly setting up the Kamisori is extremely important.

Why would that be ? Harshness is about a rough edge , I thought.
End user controls everything else like lather & angle etc...

Using the traditional 10:1 or 7:1 ratios will yield the steeper angle on the Omote side of most Kamisori. If the user lays the Ura almost flat on the face this may mitigate the harshness or discomfort I speak of.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

Using the traditional 10:1 or 7:1 ratios will yield the steeper angle on the Omote side of most Kamisori. If the user lays the Ura almost flat on the face this may mitigate the harshness or discomfort I speak of.

That's what I do ~ flat on the face with ura. No harshness. I don't hone to ratios. I hone it like any single bevel tool but yeah, omote gets dominance on the stone.

Like I said end user controls the shave. All razors shave harsh at the wrong angle.

I believe most Kamisori user complaints are a result of user error, either from shaving angle or extreme pressure. It's weird because the shave angle Omote down is actually built in. I enjoy Kamisori shaving very much, I try and get one in at least once a week.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

Using the traditional 10:1 or 7:1 ratios will yield the steeper angle on the Omote side of most Kamisori. If the user lays the Ura almost flat on the face this may mitigate the harshness or discomfort I speak of.

This is interesting. The kamisori has the same edge as a chisel. In wood working, you learn quickly that using a chisel flat side down to shave something off usually results in a "dig". Using a chisel "bevel down" or "flat up" allows one to whisk shavings off the top with little risk.

Unless, as Bayamontate says, you lay the flat back hard on the surface of the plank. Then the chisel will "shave" perfectly. Problem is...the face is a much more conforming/deforming surface than maple. Hard to be 'perfectly flat' on a surface like jello.

Except that a Kamisori is actually still two hollows, it is not "Like" a chisel or a like a Microtome

It is an Asymmetrical grind, not a Western Double Hollow, nor a Chisel nor a Single Hollow grind like a Microtome..

A Kamisori actually has two un-equal hollow grinds which brings me back to my first post in this thread

"A Kamisori is a funny kind of Razor"

Yes...you are correct.

Safe to say a Kamisori is a Kamisori and you can't compare it to anything else.

If you shave with both sides and hone it in the classic manner the stamped side will seem harsh however I think that is because many use it or try and use it like a western with symmetrical sides. I've always found when you switch sides you need to switch technique too as far as angle goes especially.