Check out this thread: https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...straights.html :chapeau
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Check out this thread: https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...straights.html :chapeau
The very expensive ones are made of tamahagane steel. Producing steel from iron sand is very labour-intensive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamahagane
I never owned a tamahagane razor so cannot comment on its virtues.
check out japannippon i think hes called he has many razors for sale
I also have no experience with tamahagane, but going by human nature it goes for higher prices because it is a more exclusive material that requires, as you said, more labour by skilled craftsmen.
Iwasaki razors are expensive because they are collectors items, made by men with quite the reputation.
So exclusivity + exclusivity = big bucks.
Regards,
Pieter
Add to that the fact that they are not made anymore and the price goes even higher. A NOS perfect condition Iwasaki Tama Western is very very rare.
Im Luckily enough to have Shigeyoshi Iwasaki Tamahagane and his modified Swedish steel in both western and kamisori.
Kosuke Iwasaki, Shigeyoshis father, was world renowned metallurgist and blacksmith who founded Sanjo works. Kosuke and Shigeyoshis lifes work was the research of Tamahagane and the Japanese sword. Kosuke also spent 10 years developing Tamahagane for the use in his razors.
My pride and joy 岩崎 玉鋼
Attachment 320012
I didn't pay anywhere near the silly Ebay prices.
Thanks, Richard. They are wonderful razors and a joy to use.
A little known fact is Iwasaki had his own private quarry where he mined his own hones for his own use. None went up for sale. I have a Nagura Botan I came across years ago.