Thread: A Package from Japan Pt 2

Thanks for that reply, it was as expected, I just had to have someone tell me.
Oh well back to the drawing board.

Cheers
John

John I would send that wedge to a honemeister, and then see how it goes.

When I started I quickly concluded that my beard was too damn tough for a hollow. I also had Lynn-sharp razors skipping all over the place. When I got a wedge the whole thing changed, and I started getting good shaves.

But wedges are considerably harder to hone, so even if you're making decent progress in your honing, I recommend getting the thing honemeister-honed so you can see its full potential. Wedges don't skip, even when they're fairly dull, so you can be shaving with the thing, removing hair alright but getting a lot of irritation, and wrongly conclude that your razor's fine but your skin just doesn't agree with straights. 99% chance that's wrong; the wedge just isn't up to its full potential.

I got a good TI wedge Chandler-sharpened, and a good wacker Crowley-sharpened, and those two razors changed everything for me. I decided to stick with it.

But guess what? As my technique improved, I gave those Lynn-sharpened hollows another try. They worked like a dream. It doesn't seem possible because you're trying every angle of approach you can think of and it's still skipping on your chin – but I'm telling you unless you're talking serious tree trunks on your face a good sharp hollow will give you superb, smooth, comfortable shaves when your technique is good enough. I've now swung 180 degrees and much prefer hollows; the feedback allows me to adjust pressure intelligently and I avoid razor burn and get better shaves, and my honing skills are up to them in a way that they're not quite up to a fat wedge. I don't use these wedges anymore; in fact I'm going to be putting them up for sale shortly.

But without those sharp-as-hell honemeister wedges I'd never have gotten over the hump. They're just more sure, stable and forgiving if you've got a thick beard but your technique isn't quite there yet.

My 2 cents.

Well, I finally got to shave with the Iwasaki after the latest round of honing. As a last minute thought and experiment I ran the razor over two pasted strops with .50 and .25 Amplex diamond paste. I have to tell you I was really astounded. I always get BBs shaves on my face but never on my neck which is my problem area. After this shave my entire face and neck was BBS. I don't know if its the size of the razor or what. I didn't do any moves I usually don't do. I think the comfort level is still a tad on the rough side so it still needs some fine tuning so I think I'll use the pasted strops at this point. Of course I'm like a newbe still trying to learn to use the razor properly and I even nicked myself a few times. Not only does the thing have a pronounced spike on the toe end but it also has one on the heel end so the razor must be kept absolutely flat on the skin. That combined with its short length and trying to use it one sided is quite a challenge. But I'm up to it.

I have to conclude at this point that this razor has given me the closest shave I have ever gotten. And I have a Maestro and a TI damascus and heck it even beat all my DDs. I didn't think I'd ever be saying this but its the truth. I don't usually use pasted strops though I have used them on occassion with the regular razors without much effect over hones.

This razor takes straight shaving to a whole new level. So the question is can the Tosuke match it. I'll have to give it the same treatment and see what happens. Hey, it sounds like another experiment. The Tosuke vs the iwasaki-a Japanese Monster Movie.

a few people had some questions about the japanese gear I got via Spencer.

I picked it up today and here is a pic.
The bottle top is for scale.



TBS: The stone is flat and glass smooth, I cannot feel the crack at all.

Originally Posted by johnmw1

Thanks for that reply, it was as expected, I just had to have someone tell me.
Oh well back to the drawing board.

Cheers
John

Just a word of advice then: Tosuke himself is not forging any new razors, on account of being dead or ill.
So even if you cannot shave with it immediately, you might want to buy one now if you see yourself shaving with on in the future.

And even if you decide not to shave with it later on, you can sell it again without a loss I'm sure.

Well once you start using that hone let us know how it works out.

I've got 3 Tosuke's (2 different steel types) and 2 Iwasaki's and it is my opinion the Iwasaki's are radically superior. I love, love, love those tosuke's - but my Iwasaki's are on another level. Probably one of, if not THE finest shaving razors I own.

Try some diamond paste.... the Iwasaki's love it.

Yes I agree the Iwasaki's are far superior. I also agree the diamond paste does help and I also agree they give the best shaves out there. The only caveat is you have to learn to use them properly. I can only imagine how the iwasaki made of ball steel shaves.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes I agree the Iwasaki's are far superior. I also agree the diamond paste does help and I also agree they give the best shaves out there. The only caveat is you have to learn to use them properly. I can only imagine how the iwasaki made of ball steel shaves.

I've got one in Tamahagane steel (top of the line) and it shaves better..... but not a whole lot.... and it is a WHOLE lot more expensive. If you've got one in swedish, you have little reason to stray elsewhere.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well once you start using that hone let us know how it works out.

GAH!



Im afraid... VERY AFRAID...

I used the hone for the first time after putting a clean edge and chamfer down one side.

On it I then honed up a gotta that was in need of a touch up (the jap razor is most definately shave ready).

I now know what people mean when they say "so sharp it's scary"

I didnt feel the hairs on my arm parting and the stubble seemed to leap from their folicules in panic...

That razor in DEFINATELY the Sunday Morning razor now...