Kousiyou Pikka

[Dullblade]

Kamisori: Kousiyou PIKKA

I got it for less than a 100$ last week. Does anybody knows anything interesting about it? What do the Kanji mean?
It is a very good razor, according to the seller it dates back to the first half of the 20th century, NOS. He described the steel as high carbon/tamahagane, but i do not know whether it really is tamahagane steel. Anyway it shaves very close, after little honing (just my japanese finisher) it is sharp (hanging hair test positive, shave excellent) the blade length is a little on the short side, shorter than the Kanetake No. 1, but a little wider (approx. 6/8). I like it, for me its was a good deal, but I still prefer the easier handling of the large Kanetake 2, which are my most used Kamisoris...

[JimR]

Hmmm, your link isn't working. You could post pics here, they might work better.

The Kanji for tamahagane are 玉鋼. If they aren't there, it ain't tamahagane. And if it was less than $100, then it very likely wasn't...unless the dude stole it.

[Dullblade]

Oops, from my side, the link was working, anyway here are the two pictures. Maybe I should mention too, that the back of the head is nicely polished, not blackened. It reminds me of pictures of Iwasaki knifes, but I´ve never had an Iwasaki physically in my hands.

@JimR
As far as I see, you do live in Japan or at least has good contacts. Maybe you can findout something, since I´ve never heard Kousiyou Pikka before. But anyway, its very nice razor.

[JimR]

Well, the first part, "Koushi-you" means "For Lecturer's/Teacher's Use". This was probably made for a barbering school.

Pikka means, well...shiny. Or sparkly.

Then the last two, I'm not sure but they look like "tokusen", or "Specially selected" (something like that.).

Hope this helps!

[Dullblade]

@JimR
Thank you very much for the translations. It sounds good to me!
A special selected, shining (polished?) Kamisori for teachers use (only?)

Doesn´t this sound nice for you guys too. To me it looks, that I made a good deal! It seems to be rare, if not unique. Anyway, I´m not going to sell it, I will shave with it from time to time. The big Kanetakes are much easier to use, due to their size. This razor and my other kamisori a Harima Fuji and even the regular Kanetakes have to worked with extreme care.

[JimR]

@JimR
Thank you very much for the translations. It sounds good to me!
A special selected, shining (polished?) Kamisori for teachers use (only?)

Doesn´t this sound nice for you guys too. To me it looks, that I made a good deal! It seems to be rare, if not unique. Anyway, I´m not going to sell it, I will shave with it from time to time. The big Kanetakes are much easier to use, due to their size. This razor and my other kamisori a Harima Fuji and even the regular Kanetakes have to worked with extreme care.

You're very welcome. That "Pikka" looks less like a description and more like some kind of branding--maybe a barber's supply chain or something.
Hmmm....can you post a picture of the back? I have a sneaking suspicion about this one.

[Dullblade]

Hope this helps, don#t mind the grip, I wrapped some silk floss, which I had left from tying flies...

[MODINE]

Nice wraps.. I like it. should allow the handle portion to dry out if it gets wet.
MIke