Thread: Japanese Straights

Originally Posted by vgod

here is my fortay into japanese straights so far. i have one more on the way that will need some love, but that's cool with me.

from left to right and then on the anvil

1. blue handle. not a tosuke, just a tosuke handle. do not know maker name.
2. rattan wrapped. not shave ready. need to take to hone. do not know maker.
3. custom RBI from an old file. great shaver and very small.
4. DIY custom to cover up a beat up tang. Wester Damascus. See thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/fo...ese-style.html
5. Custom Russell Badridge western style straight.

all with the exception of the rattan wrapped straight are shave ready. and all are terrific shavers. the non-tosuke and the baldridge are 2 of my top 3.(depews perfect rounds that out.)

enjoy.

Yours might be made by Takahashi Norikazu, Kazumi's son-just different grind compared to the site. It looks a lot like mine. But I can't be certain it's difficult to see the kanji on site. You can ask OLD_SCHOOL as he's the one who'd know.

T-word (Toro? Tora? Tomagachi? Tako? Toshiro Mifune? j/k) though it is not, I will clean it up and post pics when it arrives, which hopefully won't be too much longer.

I am really looking forward to honing the Kamisori up and trying it out. The Japanese straights were the first straights I ever looked at, was intrigued by, and thought about trying. As luck would have it, I ended up adopting western straights first!

Have you received them yet? Thoughts?

Sorry for the delay! I've been on the opposite side of the USA for work... very worthwhile but it's great to be home again!

Both razors arrived on the same day. Both were in dire need of honing.

After cleanup and gentle blemish removal and polishing, I spent the rest of the evening on the edges. I used the honing advice found on this forum regarding Japanese straights and JimR's outstanding video, I have managed to achieve (drum roll) mediocre results.

The Tosuke is a problem child. After long work on a Japanese razor grade hone, with and without slurry, the bevel gleams like a mirror. The razor is too dull to shave with however and just glides over my beard. I have the impression that it's harder than the hammered hinges of hell and laughs at my puny efforts... I tried several different honing systems including a coticule with slurry and got no better results.

Kamisori #2 likewise seems to be made of very stern stuff, but did take an edge and shaves comfortably, but not with the fabled atom splitting, peel your face like an apple if not very careful uber-sharpness I have read about.

In fact, even the "sharp" razor won't even do HHT beyond maybe a faint "violin".

No doubt my technique is to blame rather than the razors, although I was following the written and video advice pretty well, or so I thought... and further advice is always welcome. I intend to get these things up and running!

I finally got my first Kamisori in the mail. It was expected sooner but got delayed due to some USPS issues. She's going for a shave tonight.

That's great Max! I thought it was long gone! Welcome to club mate. Shave and live well my friend.

Did Jim manage to translate the rest for you?

Originally Posted by SiRed8

That's great Max! I thought it was long gone! Welcome to club mate. Shave and live well my friend.

Did Jim manage to translate the rest for you?

USPS works in mysterious ways

It does seem to be a razor made of high quality and the maker is still unkown. I guess the shave will tell.



Update: The Kamisori wasn't really shave ready to my standards so I quit half way my first shave and finished with my W&B backup razor. The next day I took the Kamisori to the hones and when I was done it was popping hairs. The next shave I had was delightful. I had the opportunity to try an Iwasaki 1 so my only comparison was against it. I found my new acquired Norio (seems to be the maker as I was told) to be extremely smooth compared to the Iwasaki 1. I don't know if it was my honing or the fact that I finished on my Karasu. I never touched the Iwasaki 1 as it came to me honed, popping hairs and extremely sharp.

The translation I have received from the stamping (Thx JimR) is

Right side going down on the spine: saikou kyuu hagane-highest grade steel
middle two going down: tokyuu- extra special
middle two right to left (above the maker's mark): toroku-registered
bottom, right side going down: betsuuchi-special made/forged
bottom center, going down: fushio (???) made Norio

Originally Posted by SiRed8

I don't have one either. This review was well written

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strai...zor.html?ltr=T and ones pretty much titled "Japanese razors" are only ones I've seen.

For those who have both Iwasaki and Tosuke which do you prefer? I know both are of exquisite quality but with regards to closer shave which one?

Mods if you prefer I can post new thread

Thanks,

Ivan

I had both and sold the Tosuke. The Iwasaki was twice the price but the quality and balance was superior. The shave quality was different.
This is jmho.

My first Japanese straight....hope to get a kamisori at some point too!