Thread: Japanese razors - what to look out for

Check out this thread: https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...straights.html

Originally Posted by animalwithin

Thank you for the list of makers! I will check them all out.

Those Iwasaki, I see one going for $2,500

Are the folding Kamisori still subject to the right/left handedness with only one side beveled out?

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

Originally Posted by Kees

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.

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



I didn't pay anywhere near the silly Ebay prices.

Originally Posted by constant

check out japannippon i think hes called he has many razors for sale

I have him saved as a seller in my Ebay, really great selection!

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

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



I didn't pay anywhere near the silly Ebay prices.

Beautiful blades!!! You're lucky you didn't pay Ebay prices!

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

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

Lovely. A man could shave a lifetime with just those two razors.

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.