Thread: A Package from Japan Pt 2

That looks like a coarser stone. Are you concerned with what looks like a crack in it? I hope its just a vein. Keep us informed how it works out.

I dont think the crack goes all the way through. when looking at the other pics it seems that the crack or line is confined to a single strata in the block.

Sorry for being lazy, but I'm on vacation this week with limited time. Do you have a link for that stone from Spencer? Thanks in advance, J.

Originally Posted by Lancer

Well I just scored the set shown below via our new mate Spencer.

I'll let you know what happens when they arrive.

I just thought I would update everybody on my efforts on getting the iwasaki shave ready.

I have been going back and forth between the Japanese Hone, the Kitayama 12K and the Coticule and have been having no success. Finally I decided to back up a bit a use the Blue Belgian. That seemed to be just what is needed. A couple hundred strokes with that and it was ready to shave anything. A few minutes on the coticule and a few minutes on the Japanese Hone to fine tune the edge and that baby shaves like a dream now.

Originally Posted by Jonedangerousli

Sorry for being lazy, but I'm on vacation this week with limited time. Do you have a link for that stone from Spencer? Thanks in advance, J.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl...tion/n55400900

Originally Posted by Anthony416

OK, here is what I think are some of the intersting points in the explanation of the stone....

It is called a Jun-mikawa-nagura and the series has 12 grades (and possibly 3 sizes within each grade)

I thought it said jyun mikawa nagura or genuine white nagura which is why I asked if it wasn't a nagura before as I have naguras with this mark and was told this is what it says. I can't recall the pic offhand but didn't it have examined/appraised by asano in the top right as well.

Thanks for all the info, kind sir.

If I get it right, Iwaski can be honed on blue Belgian (a couple of hundred laps), followed by a few minutes on coticule, and a bit of polishing on Japanese fine grit stone or perhaps a pasted strop?
But would it be regular laps on the hones, or going back and forth? I recall you wrote some time ago that Japanese razors should be honed with back and forth laps.

BTW, if you can tell already, how does the shaves with Tosuke and Iwasaki compare?

TIA,

Dariusz

Japanes razors are honed with a back and forth motion using moderate pressure on the razor ie two hands on the razor. The ratio is 3 strokes on the concave side to 2 strokes on the convex side.

My impressions with the two razors are that at this point they are identical. To me its like saying which shaves better a Maestro or a Zowada. Both are supreme. The Iwasaki is a much harder steel than the Tosuke. I was able to hone the Tosuke by using my Kitayama hone by itself so you have to evaluate your razor to see how its doing. Start with the finest and work back if you have to until you reach success.

Probably a silly question and deep down I already know the answer but oh well here goes.

I have seen it mentioned in various posts that these Japanese straights like the Tosuke have another complete learning curve compared to a "traditional" straight.

Would it be absolute fool hardiness to consider purchasing one of these if the said person is having enough problems with a traditional straight let alone a Tosuke. Enough of a problem that the said person was considering giving the straights up all together, because for one reason or another he is not getting on with straights.

I must add that I seriously have been considering packing it in, and buying a Feather or just going back to DE shaving full time. Maybe it's the type of straights that I have bought, most of which have been full hollows, which just skip and jump despite them having been sharpened by Lynn, so there is no question there about sharpness etc. It could of course also be technique, but I don't think so, and I am trialling a heavier blade at the moment but it still needs a bit more work to get it really sharp, but it does feel better on my face. The irritation factor at the moment is not good. People at work are constantly asking me what have you done to your face, and I'm getting tired of explaining.

Sorry for the , but I really want to stick with this thing, but I'm just so frustrated at the moment.

Cheers
John

If you want to use a traditional Japanese straight the way its supposed to be used the answer is yes its like learning to shave all over again. Those razors are one sided so you need to keep the concave side to your face all the time. So you need to do all kinds of wierd holds and forehands and backhanded moves. It is very challenging. Also consider you can shave with both sides but I find shaving with the convex side to be less comfortable and even then with the fixed handle you still have to relearn the way you hold the razor.

If you are having trouble with the normal straight I don't think I would recommend using the Tosuke style razor. Also consider they need to be honed and not many know how to do it because the technique is different though I'm sure someone like Lynn can hone anything.