Thread: Japanese Straights

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Wow Tony, thats a beautiful mint Iwasaki, the 90 model is full hollow. I need to start entering some raffles.

Here's a picture of that full hollow.

That is some perfect grinding.

Tony, you will love the way she shaves. My Iwasaki 30 V it is a dream shaver.

I'm sure I will Dan but I'm in two minds whether to actually use it or not.

Maybe reserved for special occasions.

Originally Posted by Thug

I'm sure I will Dan but I'm in two minds whether to actually use it or not.

Maybe reserved for special occasions.

I consider western Iwasaki razors among the top razors ever made.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I consider western Iwasaki razors among the top razors ever made.

+1!
And those made from tamahagane steel are the top of Iwasaki western straights.

I had an Iwasaki no 90 identical to the one you won!...a bit more use on it then this one but otherwise identical.

It was an exceptional shaver.

Blade @0,5 -1cm shorter (I cant recall exactly but I think 2,5 inch-ish) then a regular size iwasaki....a no.50 for example is regular size @3inch cutting edge.
If I remember corectly the no 30, 60 and 90 are made a bit shorter to make them easier to sharpen by lady barbers....some are even found with the marking''Lady'' on the tang or the kanji meaning the same thing.

They are quenched horizontaly like a katana and you have to keep in mind that only 2/3 of the blade is actualy hardened....the 2/3 at the cutting edge...the spine is left soft-ish and I recomend if you always use a layer of tape when honing it.

If you ever decide to etch it...and I doubt you will...it will show a nice diferential heat treatment line.

I would box it and use it on special ocasions... blades like this rarely pop up...and over the years they will be even rarer.

Enjoy it!