Thread: Question on Murray Carter's honing technique

The jp style kamisori is only a razor and it works just like a razor

Originally Posted by Johnny J

Are the Japanese razors going to have an asymmetrical Japanese grind? One thing confuses me about the Japanese grind. IIRC, only the concave side is supposed to go against your skin? You can do that when shaving someone else, but how can you do that when shaving yourself?

'Was fortunate to meet and thoroughly enjoy some time with Mr. Carter today. 'Watched him finish a blade that the lovely bride wanted for her bday. I saw and handled a couple of the razor blanks, including one prototype kamisori that he finished the grind and honing on. He's been very busy, so I wouldn't expect many razors anytime soon. I most certainly WOULD be interested when he does get some out. I have no doubt the blade quality will be staggering.

Johnny - I had the same question about the asymetric blade profile. Mr. Carter said - don't worry about it. Use either side against the skin.

Japanese blades are definitely intended to only have one side against your face. It's apparent from the way the blade is ground. Western blades are symmetrically ground so that either side can be used against the face.

Sure, there are lots of guys who say you can use either side of a Japanese razor. There are also guys who say each side should be honed with the same number of strokes. But that is not the way they were designed to be used.

To shave yourself, you have to be a bit creative with your strokes.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Japanese blades are definitely intended to only have one side against your face. It's apparent from the way the blade is ground. Western blades are symmetrically ground so that either side can be used against the face.

Sure, there are lots of guys who say you can use either side of a Japanese razor. There are also guys who say each side should be honed with the same number of strokes. But that is not the way they were designed to be used.

To shave yourself, you have to be a bit creative with your strokes.

I believe only the wealthy in feudal Japan were clean shaven, and this was done by a barber. He moved around the customer while using the same hand. So a grind that benefited the user and usee (see what i did there with the English language) was employed.
I learnt sharpening from Murray, and my search for more info on the internet led me here.
Now I have severe RAD and restorers itch-I am now looking at a way to set up a forge in an inner city apartment-you guys have totally screwed me up!!!!!

Mr Carter been brought up a few times, he might be the king of knifes, but his methos of honing a razor are somewhat questionable.
Here a thread about him and showing him honing a razor, lots of question and debate about his honing and challenges.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...say-about.html
His comments about current razor honing methods were on the verge of disrespectfull.
Thats all i have to say about that!

Guys, Not sure if your aware, This thread is 2 years old....I really don't want to re visit it.....

Closing as a 'zombie' thread. With 4 pages of replies 2 years ago no more needs to be added.