Thread: Japanese Razor Question.

For tomorrow's shave, a Tanifuji Airi. The edge on this razor is unbelievably smooth and sharp. I'm a relatively new straight shaver, but my son has been straight shaving for almost two decades. He's passionate about Japanese razors. I've noticed that several of my son's Japanese razors have this shape blade. Is this a common shape for Japanese razors or is it just an indication that part of the blade has been removed. I haven't seen any solingen or sheffield blades with this shape.

Did you find that on ebay? Here's one of the same brand that looks like a western style razor. I have seen a few Japanese folding razors and don't recall that shape. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can help.

It has been modified. I suspect that the barber wanted a shorter blade and this was one way to do it.

Yep, this is an after-market modification, but a very common one among Japanese barbers. They probably were used to shorter edges of traditional Japanese kamisoris, and did this modification on Western straights to acomodate their habits.

Have seen quite a few like that over the years.
Can't help but wonder how many got trashed while being modified.

The Japanese did produce razors with a similar grind to yours, but yours is definitely modified, the Japanese would have never except that level of poor workmanship, here's a few of mine with that type of grind, the difference in the finish is very noticeable.

Ooooo... Japanese razor porn! Nice!