Looking at Japanese Straights

**gandrw** · 06-07-2010, 03:59 AM

So if I'm interested in a Japanese straight razor are there any I should stay away from? Like there are with western straight razors such as how you want to stay away from certain brands and what not. Also I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

**JimR** · 06-07-2010, 08:58 AM

As good a place as any!

I'm certainly no expert, but basically, I think looks will tell you. I've only seen a couple of Kamisori that I'd recommend staying away form, and they LOOKED bad.

Rough finish, poor balance and uneven or frowning edges, those are all bad things.

As for brands/names, as there are just so many of them, and there is no real registry or record, it's hard to say. Even the ones made by the big names were often rebranded for distributors or the like, just as with a lot of Solingen blades sold in the US.

I haven't yet seen nor heard of one made with bad steel, for whatever that's worth. Just bad finishing and grinding. So if it looks ok, then it most likely is ok.

**gandrw** · 06-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Manly curious because I missed out on one last night on ebay that went for $31 I bid $33 but didn't realize you had to be logged in to bid. ( I have never bought anything on ebay My Wife has and was sleeping) The Razor looked nice to me and the seller said that it was an older razor that had never been used.
I don't know much about them but I have looked at prices on them and haven't seen any under $100.

**JimR** · 06-07-2010, 01:52 PM

Ouch! That was a steal, man...you're right, sub-$100 is a real rarity.

**gandrw** · 06-07-2010, 03:56 PM

There are several right now with buy it now of 49.99 but my wife isn't letting me spend the extra and I'm not sure about the razors either.

**thebigspendur** · 06-07-2010, 04:46 PM

Just make sure they are not in too bad a shape. If you have to do major restorative work on one it can be quite a job. The pass around I have going around now was basically a lump of rust when I got it and it took me the better part of a year working on and off to get it to were it is now.
I had gotten a second one with it, much smaller and very worn and the symmetry was really gone on it. I was able to get a bevel on it but still can't get it sharp for use. I actually glued wood shams to the thing to raise the angle when honing to overcome the wear.

**gandrw** · 06-07-2010, 06:59 PM

Wow that would be allot of work. The one I missed out on looked pristine and the seller said it had never been used the others that I saw look fine but not near as nice as that one. But then again I don't see any rust either so they shouldn't be to bad I guess.

**D.Sweet** · 06-08-2010, 12:17 PM

I recently purchased a Japanese straight from Telly over at B&B. I spent a bit more then what you are looking to spend but it was worth it. I have seen him sell razors from around $65 - $200, so you could pickup a decent razor at a good price if you keep your eyes peeled.

I myself bought one of these from him at $115 shipped and am happy that i spent a little more then i wanted. It came shave ready and has already given me two great shaves.

FS: Two Japanese Razors (Level 2) / Coticule Bout - Badger & Blade

You can find a good deal on ebay but if it needs restoration, it might end up being more then you bargained for.

-Donovan

**ScottGoodman** · 06-08-2010, 01:16 PM

Before you get hung up totally on a Japanese design, you might check out this thread and if you like it, contact Robert...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...gn-purist.html

It inspired me to make a Plagerist II...soon to be posted in the Forge

**onimaru55** · 06-09-2010, 02:54 AM

Caveat emptor.
Some pretty sad examples on eBay atm.

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