Thread: Sharpening Wakamisori

I've had some time to work with these instructions. It occurred to me that perhaps even with the translation all is not clear.

The first step is woeful; I simply cannot bring myself to complete the process as shown on a new razor. Basically because I cannot explain or fully comprehend the purpose. What they are asking you to do is first grind the flats shown in pic 4. In the series leading up to it there is no mention of the amount of pressure. Slurry and swarf can come with time on a stone, but it does look as if there is some pressure applied. His fingertips are white but not as white as you might expect if the force applied is extreme.

to be clear: The face in picture 4 is the omote. The front.

Next we see a very clean and fresh stone. On to the back of the razor; the ura, the side used against the skin. Here it is specifically mentioned to use light pressure.

To follow these instructions exactly the process is to do all work on the omote and then do all work on the ura.
You could use whatever measure you like, for instance if it takes 7 minutes to produce the flat, you would then spend 3 minutes on the back or count strokes-whatever

Obviously this type of sharpening is likely to turn up a small burr, which is dealt with in the instructions. Usually I have dismissed all tales of wiping away the burr on the hand or on your jeans, something I have seen repeated rather often in various places. That's just not how I learned it, but here it is again.

with my stuff ...One razor I have was mocked in the auction talk. I received it as a gift about the same time as I read the thread. I'm sorry my wife saw the disappointment on my face.

So much for listening to armchair experts as there is nothing about it too far out of line with these methods. (It's certainly not new but not as bad as some well used kamisori I've seen) I have not been able to discover who made it as it is only marked with quality stamps and the name of a 500 year old business still in operation. At least after some study of the subject I feel a lot better about the tool.

I'm not suggesting anyone run out and perform this exact process on a new razor. I got hold of an NOS Iwasaki that's about 4-5 years old. There is only the slightest glint of flat on the original factory honing and I have been trying to maintain this with light pressure and stropping.

Finding an old barber manual or information on how to shave oneself with a kamisori has proved difficult. Asking around the consensus is to vary the grip right handed with the ura on the face.

Maybe in another week or so the next set of instructions will get translated