Thread: First Japanese style razor

I've seen a few worn down very little. Thanks for the explanation Oz. Can this hollowing out be done with a round backer and sandpaper? Just like a Western? It must be some hard stuff to shape?

Goodnight all.

Originally Posted by Gasman

I've seen a few worn down very little. Thanks for the explanation Oz. Can this hollowing out be done with a round backer and sandpaper? Just like a Western? It must be some hard stuff to shape?

Goodnight all.

Sure, no problema & it's easy to shape as it's simple iron, forge welded to the hard steel back. Japanese use a file called a Sen but it's hard to get a neat job like sandpaper unless you have the practice.

Jerry, Oz explanation is spot on, you may need to even out the Omote so the entire edge is sitting correctly on the hone.

So the back side (bump side) is the hard steel. Ok. I thought it was the other way around. I guess as long as the wear on the back is not extreme and the width of the blade has not been worn down to a 5/8 or less i should be able to fix these with some work. Great info guys. Thanks for explaining. Now, as long as i dont end up with as many Kami's as Western....

Originally Posted by Gasman

So the back side (bump side) is the hard steel. ...

The back or ura on a kami has the stamps. Both sides are hollow except for the section above the ridge.
Below is a cross section of an Iwasaki. You can see the thin, dark, hard steel on the "back" or ura.

Ok. Got it. Boy was i wrong. Thanks for correcting me on this Oz. This now makes more sense.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Ok. Got it. Boy was i wrong. Thanks for correcting me on this Oz. This now makes more sense.

All good Jerry. Pics worth a thousand words