Seikirazor?

[regularjoe]

I was curious if you see the Seikirazor western styled straight razor at all, since you all are living in Japan. My grandma recently gave me one in near mint condition. Apparently it came back with my grandfather after his tour of duty in the Korean War. I don't really care what it's worth, cause it'll stay with me till I die. I was kinda hoping maybe since you're there, information about it might be easier to come by. I like to know the history of my blades if I can find it.

[JimR]

Hi Joe,
Sounds like a great thing to have!

Pictures would help...although I doubt anyone could tell you much more than you know already. I have yet to find a Goins-like guide to Japanese razor manufacturers, and there were a ton of companies, some of which used more than one label/brand. But post some pics and I'll see if I can find someone who knows something.

Best,
Jim

[regularjoe]

Well this is the only one I have of it just yet. haha. Dad has it, and he sent me this picture, and another of a big bald spot on his arm. We're all going to the movies tomorrow, so I'll actually take possession of it then, and get some more detailed pics posted. Thanks very much for your help! The only reference to it I could find was on B&B. They speculated that it was good steel. I guess I might shave with it once....

[JimR]

Hey, wait...

Someone posted a pic of one of those not too long ago. "Seiki" is century. The tang will say "registered trade mark" etc.

It's easy to speculate that it is good steel, as Japanese razors are almost always good steel.

[regularjoe]

Yeah that's what they were getting at. Like, it was all kind of a "stating the obvious" kind of thing. Then again, I can't be sure I'm that good at reading a sarcastic tone in print. I searched it on Ebay, just hoping to come across someone who knew what he was selling, but there weren't any there. The only other place I found it was on a Japanese website, translation with Bing yielded a page about a guy who sold one once. Anyhow, you've already told me more than I knew. So Century (Seiki) would be like the brand name. Awesome! Japanese is read from top to bottom, correct? And the monkey tail is at the top of the razor with regard to reading the stamp, right?

[JimR]

Yeah that's what they were getting at. Like, it was all kind of a "stating the obvious" kind of thing. Then again, I can't be sure I'm that good at reading a sarcastic tone in print. I searched it on Ebay, just hoping to come across someone who knew what he was selling, but there weren't any there. The only other place I found it was on a Japanese website, translation with Bing yielded a page about a guy who sold one once. Anyhow, you've already told me more than I knew. So Century (Seiki) would be like the brand name. Awesome! Japanese is read from top to bottom, correct? And the monkey tail is at the top of the razor with regard to reading the stamp, right?

In books, Japanese is read top to bottom. In this case, however, it's different. The picture is a little off...on the tang, it should be read right to left, with the tang facing right.
So "世" is sei and ”紀”　is ki.

[regularjoe]

Well eventually someone will make that book, and I'll let them take a picture of this one for the Seikirazor section. haha. I'm pretty excited about this razor if you couldn't tell. If you find out they were junk, then just don't tell me. Of course, no matter...It's still getting kept in a safe, dark, hermetically sealed container til I die. Then somebody can buy it at my estate auction for a dollar and sell it on Ebay for ten. Thanks again!

[cudarunner]

Greetings!

Jim! Thanks for all of your help and info on this razor I'm sure that Joe is well in your debt! You always step up to the plate!

Joe! As far as keeping this razor stored away, I find that a shame! What a waste of material! Please consider having it honed and give it a go! The razor was made to be used! With good care, your children's children will be able to use it! I'm using my great grandfather's W&B near full wedge! I don't keep it in the rotation but on special occasions I'll pull it out just to let him know that I'm thinking about him!

Smooth Shaving!

[regularjoe]

Yeah, once I actually have it in my hands I might feel differently. Right now I'm thinking I should protect it, but I'm pretty new to straight razors in general. Cleaning up an old abused razor and using it seems fine, but receiving an old razor that was never used, then using it, seems like sacrilege. lol. Only time will tell I guess.