Thread: What is your most rare straight razor?

Yeah I've posted the Iwasaki on ebay for $1. IMO. A good razor but nothing super special considering I have many razors.

But the bottom is the rare one. Says hand forged in yasuki steel, tank has hammer markings, although it's polished so hard to see. Super thin. Super hard steel.

Originally Posted by CoreyW

Yeah I've posted the Iwasaki on ebay for $1. IMO. A good razor but nothing super special considering I have many razors.

But the bottom is the rare one. Says hand forged in yasuki steel, tank has hammer markings, although it's polished so hard to see. Super thin. Super hard steel.

There are quite a few of the, "hand forged" Japanese razors out there, thought at first it might be a Tamako YSK Tamahagane masa steel, hand forged razor, but markings don't match up.

Here's one I have:

https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...ml#post1695406

Again, not that rare, and while the Tamako YSK razor is very nice, doesn't really compare to an Iwasaki in my opinion, Iwasaki is "next level"....

Originally Posted by Phrank

There are quite a few of the, "hand forged" Japanese razors out there, thought at first it might be a Tamako YSK Tamahagane masa steel, hand forged razor, but markings don't match up.

Here's one I have:

https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...ml#post1695406

Again, not that rare, and while the Tamako YSK razor is very nice, doesn't really compare to an Iwasaki in my opinion, Iwasaki is "next level"....

The razor you have shown is completely different from the one I have shown. I've had the opportunity to own many razors. Iwasaki is a good razor. But doesn't blow me away like this one.

Originally Posted by CoreyW

The razor you have shown is completely different from the one I have shown. I've had the opportunity to own many razors. Iwasaki is a good razor. But doesn't blow me away like this one.

What blows you away? The grind, balance, weight?
The Iwasaki 50 is half hollow and the other is full, this will have an impact on the way it feels in your shave.

Shigeyoshi Iwasaki is one of the most respected smithys worldwide and his razors are, to me, perfect.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

What blows you away? The grind, balance, weight?
The Iwasaki 50 is half hollow and the other is full, this will have an impact on the way it feels in your shave.

Shigeyoshi Iwasaki is one of the most respected smithys worldwide and his razors are, to me, perfect.

I've got an Iwasaki 30 - was surprised to find out it's a near wedge, superb shaver.

The #80 is 1/4 hollow. #50 and 33 is 1/2 hollow. #70, 90, 100 are all full hollow.
There are a few other models but i cant remember them at the mo.
The modified Swedish steel that Iwasaki San forges is incredible too. No other blacksmith could make a razor so high up the Rockwell scale and it not be brittle and shatter. The edge retention on an Iwasaki is second to none.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

What blows you away? The grind, balance, weight?
The Iwasaki 50 is half hollow and the other is full, this will have an impact on the way it feels in your shave.

Shigeyoshi Iwasaki is one of the most respected smithys worldwide and his razors are, to me, perfect.

I would say everything. I appreciate wedge's, quarters (actually my favorite), halfs, fulls, bellied, etc. This one is a full hollow. Very masterfully ground. Thinner then a filly 14, yet doesn't have the same flex. I don't know the hardness, but I would have so say up there. Takes a beautiful edge. The hammering marks on the tang is something I haven't seen much. Same with the full inscription of saying "Hand Made - Hitachi Yasuki Steel" Whomever made the razor knew what they were doing. I would love to know more. And unfortunately I know very little except for what the kanji says.

Not trying to step on toes and say Iwasaki's are somehow not special.

Sometimes the unknown razors are the best.
Ive not seen that kanji before.
Try posting here: https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...-requests.html
You should at least get the makers name.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Sometimes the unknown razors are the best.
Ive not seen that kanji before.
Try posting here: https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...-requests.html
You should at least get the makers name.

Unfortunately it doesn't say a maker. On the scales it says "Hand Forged or Hand Drawn" Front tang says "Clear Autumn Water" Back says "Hand Forged in Hitachi Yasuki Steel"

Jethro from History of Razors wordpress was nice enough to help me out. And pointed me to one other instance of the razor. So a bit of a dead end.

Originally Posted by CoreyW

The razor you have shown is completely different from the one I have shown. I've had the opportunity to own many razors. Iwasaki is a good razor. But doesn't blow me away like this one.

As I said in my original post, "thought at first it might be a Tamako YSK Tamahagane masa steel, hand forged razor, but markings don't match up.", so yea, all clear on that it's a different razor. Having said that, the one I referred to is a hand forged Tamahagane steel razor, which is the most coveted steel in defining Japanese razors, and as Mark pointed out - there exists no finer Japanese razor than an Iwasaki Tamahagane hand forged razor, not only in quality, but in rarity as well.

And yea, I own "many razors" as well...glad I could clear that up for you.