Thread: A buyers guide to Kamisoris

Great thread and good advice. Buy NOS if you can afford it, if not look for the least hone wear. Just like a western, you will have less issues. There are a lot coming out of Japan that are well worn with the odd gem in there.
I like the way they shave and the short blade length, not much more than a DE.
Struggle with the gymnastics trying to use them with one hand as is tradition, but always thought they would be the perfect razor if your profession was a barber.

A fellow SRP member is sending me direct from Japan a 53mm L x 27mm W Henkotsu to get honed. The member requested a full dress shine job on the blade. He informed me that it is NOS and never been honed. After explaining that Kasumi polishing a blade can take quite some time this may not be cost effective. Will post pics once it arrives. 27 mm wide? That’s over an inch, can that be right? I’ve never seen one that size, I may have to work a trade he, he.
MIke

Henkosu had some larger models...the largest is over 1'...i have 2..an old one with golden kanji and a NIB newer one.
They are decent shavers.
The steel is hard and gets sharp easy....hitachi white paper if i am not mistaken.
Decent stain resistance too imo.
If the price is right they offer an interesting experience.

Originally Posted by ovidiucotiga

Henkosu had some larger models...the largest is over 1'...i have 2..an old one with golden kanji and a NIB newer one.
They are decent shavers.
The steel is hard and gets sharp easy....hitachi white paper if i am not mistaken.
Decent stain resistance too imo.
If the price is right they offer an interesting experience.

I have one as well, 9/8 IIRC. Just shaved with it the other day. Excellent razors.

It was actualy tonight's shave

So corect me if i am wrong the steel is white paper steel?

The newer model i have is NIB with papers and all...i think is about 3cm wide)

I will post a pic tomorow

Thanks for the pics ovidiucotiga;
Attached are some pics of the razor in route. He said maker was a Henkotsu, I don’t know the kanji. It is hard to determine the size without something beside to scale. I will post alongside my Iwasaki when it arrives. Should be interesting, looks NOS to me.
Mike

Echoing what others have said look for NOS or little hone wear. Many kamisoris have been excessively honed on one side or the other or even both sides, like western razors this will put the geometry out but even more so.

Traditional Japanese Kamisoris are made from a softer steel, Jigane and a harder steel, Hagane. Its the hagane steel that does the cutting, The infamous Tamahagane, White 2 steel(Shirogami), Blue 2 steel (Aogami) are examples of the Hagane. To me its the joining of these two steels that sets the forgers apart, look at some kamis and the forge line is very visible, Iwasaki on the other hand are non existent.
A few kamis are labelled Yasuki steel, this indicates that it is made from the mentioned white or blue steel by Hitachi Metals Ltd, I have seen some razors made with yellow steel but Im not sure how well they would retain an edge.

There are, like western razors, various sizes: Hanchogake, Ichogake and Nichogake- smallest to largest. I dont beliveve there is any exact sizing as different make have different sizes altogether, Henkotsu have 5 different sizes! I have a few sizes and are all very usable, personal preference is key, some people like a big W&B 8/8, some like a Revisor 5/8. Same goes with a kami.
Looking head on, some kamis are more hollow on the Omote (no stamp) side, rather like a wedge vs 1/2 hollow, I have found no real difference in performance though.

Dont get caught up in names, there are many kamisoris made by different master smiths but expect to pay a premium for the big names, however my Iwasaki Tamahagane will go to the grave with me!

this might help Mike

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

A few kamis are labelled Yasuki steel, this indicates that it is made from the mentioned white or blue steel by Hitachi Metals Ltd, I have seen some razors made with yellow steel but Im not sure how well they would retain an edge.

White & blue are the better steels.
Yellow paper steel is used for entry level kitchen knives & some high end tools. It is highly dependent on good heat treat tho for optimal results.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

this might help Mike

I just realised i have all but one form the Henkosu lineup!
# 1 check!
# Wanted!
# 3 check!
# 4 check!
# 5 check!