Thread: Any Pointers for First Kamisori Purchase?

With the prices down on razors I'm thinking of adding a couple to the collection and thought I might get a Kamisori. Any thing I should look out for? Certain makers significantly better or worse? Since there ground differently, how much hone wear is acceptable?
Thanks guys

Wow, Yes there are better manufacturers and...the real difficulty is finding a used one that has not been overhoned and turned in to a useless item.

Familiarize yourself with what a new wa kamisori looks like as to grind and width before buying any!
Left and right handedness is not a real problem as during shaving the hand self corrects for blade angle.
If NOS, send it out to a competent hone person. IF not, send it out to a competent hone person!!
They are a delight to shave with and there are numerous threads on the makers and use of them. Do a search at the search box here for kamisori. There is also a thread on translating Kanji:
kanji-help-post-here-your-requests

Good luck in your search!
~Richard

Just get one of the NOS Henkotsu, Yamamasa or the Yasuki steel ones

Trying to find a used one with good geometry takes a REALLY good eye

I assumed some we're better, I guess I should have asked if there were any I should avoid or try to find. I'll do some searching, but what was Ted to see what you guys had to say about the Kamisori with the lower starting bids. I didn't know if they were all garbage if they were just not the highly sought after blades. I've seen several starting at $9-20 min that look okay and some of them don't even get bid on at the end of the auction.

That is because a lot of them have lots of hone wear. I started with an NOS and it’s the way to go if you can swing it.

If you follow the advise of the guys above; in the long run you will save money, time, and effort.
The brands suggested above are very good and give long service.

I just went to the 'bay and saw that most anything under $80 or higher would not serve a new user well and most were beyond reasonable repair. A kamisori by nature of their construction, meant to minimize the use of good steel, a small piece at the edge and bottom side, is hard to hone properly and after a while, needs a lot of repair work to even function or becomes trash. Been there and been done by some.

~Richard

High end japanese kamisoris like Iwasaki, Teramasa,Nagamasa,Shizu Saburo, Fuji...and another @20 masters manufactured tamahagane razors.

These razors are rare and have a high price tag if new.
Tamahagane if made by one of the masters is usualy fine and easy to sharpen and takes a superb edge...prices can range from@200$--->>>4-600 for a new one.

A good used one can be had for 1/2--->2/3 of that price usualy.

A good used one is rare considering the sharpening habits of japanese barbers.

Among the @20-30 masters that made tamahagane razors most made razors from sweedish steel and Yasuki steel too...these come cheaper.
And usualy can be had as new for a prices ranging from @100$--->250-300$for an Iwasaki sweedish steel.

Less known makers also produced high quality kamisoris.

I have tested and restored a few kamis over the years and I can recomend with full confidence a few high value brands.

Henkotsu...5 models...no. 1 smallest...5largest...no.3-4-5 will do a fine job.
They used blue paper steel for the edge and it is hard tempered fine steel.
Takes a wopping edge and holds it foreva')
Azuma/new Azuma
Good value razors...yasuky white paper steel.
Toyo superb kamisoris...shave like a dream
Hoshi masa is the precursor of the fsmous Hoshi Tombo...exceptional kamisories.

Best bet for a new user is a new kamisory.

It is important that the first honing is done by someone that has experience in kamisory honing and blade geometry.
The way the bevel is set the first time will determine the way it shaves and wares over time...so it is realy important to be honed well.

If you buy a used one most need the omote reground....
The fact that most kamis have a slightly more complex geometry then western razors makes most ppl avoid buying used kamisories.

Very glad this thread was started today. I was going to post this exact post. I too am looking to add a true kami to my collection. Thanks for the detailed info replies fellas.

Be sure to look up Glen's videos on honing kamisori.

Try to avoid the newer makes "high carbon" listings on eBay or Yellow steel also. The odds on those are 50/50.