Thread: Iwasaki Hone Countdown - A Test

Originally Posted by JimR

I am all for research and investigation, but I have some sobering information...

I asked my barber how many shaves he got off his kamisori between honing and he said...

5.

5 Good ones, then if he pushed it 5 ok ones...but he usually didn't push it.


I'm pretty sure the 1000 shaves story is 1.) exaggerated and 2.) about an Iwasaki straight razor, not a Kamisori. Kamisori are just too soft, I think. The edges get really, really sharp, really really fast on the hones...But who knows! Science!

I wouldn't rate my facial hair as coarse or tough but I've achieved 10 shaves with the Iwasaki. In past I would shave every 3-4 days. But now I wanted to cut down the growth because I've many soap/creams to try and want to use Iwasaki as much as I can :P

How many shaves have you gotten with your kamisori?

With regards to the 1000 shaves, you can correct me on this as I've only seen Japanese portrayed on tv and couple around town, but in general not many have thick set beards americans have no?

Besides I think strop and hone progression plays factor as well. Everyone has different styles.

Used the Iwasaki again this morning. Running count is now at 3 shaves with it. Still smooth as silk and just frightening the whiskers away.

I also seriously doubt ANY blade can go 1K shaves before a touchup - but I am curious as to how far this one will go since it's a totally different metal makeup than western blades.

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Used the Iwasaki again this morning. Running count is now at 3 shaves with it. Still smooth as silk and just frightening the whiskers away.

I also seriously doubt ANY blade can go 1K shaves before a touchup - but I am curious as to how far this one will go since it's a totally different metal makeup than western blades.

Which steel was used for your Iwasaki? Swedish, Tamahagane?

Originally Posted by Bill S

Which steel was used for your Iwasaki? Swedish, Tamahagane?

Not to but in butt it's Jigane iron and Hagane steel IIRC :beer:

I was just reading a thread somewhere in the hones section where someone, sorry I don't remember who and I'm lazy, commented that you may be amazed how many shaves you can get from a blade without touching it up simply because you get used to the degrading quality of the edge/shave. When you find you can't take another shave, pick up something else for a week and then go back to the one you used to set your record. You'll be surprised. Again, this is from that other, mystery member, not me. However, it makes sense in my mind.

What he said... :-)

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Not to but in butt it's Jigane iron and Hagane steel IIRC :beer:

Holli that makes sense - up until the point where you try the record maker again after using another blade for a week. I'd think at that point you'd get used to a keen blade again and the old one would seem even more dull. ..or maybe I'm thinking backwards...

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Not to but in butt it's Jigane iron and Hagane steel IIRC :beer:

The Hagane is Swedish steel.

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Holli that makes sense - up until the point where you try the record maker again after using another blade for a week. I'd think at that point you'd get used to a keen blade again and the old one would seem even more dull. ..or maybe I'm thinking backwards...

Yup, that's my point. Once you remind yourself what keen is, you'll be amazed at what you'd been shaving with.

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Not to but in butt it's Jigane iron and Hagane steel IIRC :beer:

I think jigane means iron, and hagane is steel