Thread: Japanese razors - what to look out for

I'm looking to get my first Japanese razor (kamisori or straight, haven't decided) yet I know very little about them.

While there are many blades with English stamping, how does one know what you're getting when looking at the blades with just Japanese lettering?

Is there a Japanese version of the Gold Dollar that should be avoided?

Are you going to explore a new rabbit hole?
I have a Tosuke and an Iwasaki.
Crazy sharp razors. I don't use them enough I am afraid.
You have to be very careful not to damage the cutting edge.

I don’t think there are any bad brands, some are remarkable.watch the SOTD thread and you will see some great examples.

Originally Posted by Kees

Are you going to explore a new rabbit hole?
I have a Tosuke and an Iwasaki.
Crazy sharp razors. I don't use them enough I am afraid.
You have to be very careful not to damage the cutting edge.

Indeed I am, especially if I choose to go the traditional Kamisori route.

Most Japanese razors are excellent shavers, and so far I've never met one that I didn't like. There are far too many names to list, but you'd do well if you found a nice EIKO, Daishi, Hayashi Diamond, Toyo, R. Saito, Hoshi Tombo or a Tanifuji, and there are many, many others. Iwasaki are marvelous, but so is the price. I prefer folding kamisori over fixed, and one of my favorites in the Daishi 350, as well as a Hoshi Tombo 6000. A Henkotsu Kaizan kamisori can generally be found for a fair price. It's easy to get hooked on Japanese straights.

A Cape 1000 Swedish Steel would be a good place to start, made by Tanifuji for Nichiri Barber Supply. Relatively easy to find and not expensive as jwests go.

Richard named the usual suspects so if you get one of those brands you should be good to go - just be sure that the wear is reasonable if it’s a used one.

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?

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.