So my Iwasaki razor arrived...now what?

Today I received an Iwasaki razor from Japan, in fact from Spencer the broker who has advertised here before. I gave Spencer a URL, he gave me a quote, I PayPaled him the funds, and five days later my razor is here.

Now I've only before seen these in photos, and with the real article in front of me, discover this looks like a very different beast from the hollow ground straight razors to which I am accustomed. So somebody please tell me how I use this thing!

The blade appears to have a grind that makes it usable on one edge only. Is that right? If so, how does one shave with it? And how to strop it? Hone it?

Mine came with a small waterstone, still damp. Can I use my Norton 8000 grit waterstone on this? I am used to lying my other razors flat on the stone, each side...it looks like I can't do this anymore. As I'm a lousy knife sharpener without an aid to help me, I may have bit off more than I can chew on this one.

The razor itself comes in a very tight fitting wooden box, and in a plastic protective sheath. Further wrapped in directions, with only Japanese characters, and wrapped again in non-rust paper. It has a brutally simple elegance to it, and I'm confident that if I can ever figure out how to put it against my face, it will gave a good shave.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You shave with only one side. Keep the concave side against your face. It takes some practice to learn to maneuver around your face, but the gring allows for a sharper edge.

Strop it like a normal razor.

Hone it using a 3:2 ratio on the concave and flatter side, respectively. Back and forth (yes i did say back and forth) 3 times on the concave side, flip it over and do go back and forth 2 times on the flatter side. Repeat as necessary. It's pretty fool-proof

Use light pressure

Two hand honing (ie keep your index finger of each hand on the blade as you hone)

The preferred stone is something around 12k though you can use your norton. Use less pressure with the norton as it cuts fast.

Diamond pastes may help. Make sure you keep the 3:2 ratio, but only using a stropping (edge trailing) stroke

Have fun taming the beast.

Welcome to the iwasaki club.

You will no doubt realize it is not shave ready. The official guidelines for sharpening it are as follows. Use a 12K hone and place the razor concave side down flat on the hone and do 3 complete north-south or up-down trips applying pressure as you hone (also called washboard honing or going back and forth, yes back and forth unlike normal straights). Do that 3 times and then flip the razor over and do 2 trips the same way. Repeat that process until sharp. The art here is in applying the correct amount of pressure. Too little and nothing will happen. Too much and you ruin the edge. So how much pressure do you use? Well not so much that its uncomfortable but enough so you can feel it. You can also use an 8K but modify the amount of pressure you use.

Now for the unofficial trick way. The Iwasaki responds great to a diamond pasted strop with .5 and .25 paste. The stroke ratio is the same but obviously you only use the normal stropping motion and you use no pressure. When I honed my Iwasaki I probably did 1000 strokes on the hone and finished the job in 5 minutes on the pasted strop.

The real fun is trying to use it properly. You can use both sides but it won't give a truly comfortable shave. Its like putting a car in reverse and only driving like that. It will work but its not designed for it. Basically as you will find out its like learning to shave all over again. Once mastered you will get the closest shave possible with any straight.

lol...so similar it's scary!

Anybody know where one can get one of these nowadays?

Well, Iwasaki doesn't make razors anymore and there aren't many of his left though I'm told he has an apprentice who makes them. You might be better off putting in a want to buy in the classifieds. Many guys buy them and then decide they are too difficult to use and sell them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Anybody know where one can get one of these nowadays?

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There's a couple here under the 'Knives' tab
Japan Tool

I've seen them in person & the 60mm is a monster but feels amazing in the hand. If only I had the $$$$'s.

PS So's closed till mid September.

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be waiting a little while before I buck up for one of these.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

There's a couple here under the 'Knives' tab
Japan Tool

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So from Japan Tool is a reputable seller. I got mine from him.

Sorry to bump a 2-yr old thread

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kees

So from Japan Tool is a reputable seller. I got mine from him.

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Which brand? I checked out the site and he said because it was a 1 man show it could take longer than even retailers. What was the turnaround time from shipping till it arrived to you?

Thanks,

Ivan

It takes him time to reply to emails. Once you paid he will send to you with lightning speed. I have recieved parcels and letters from Japan in 2-3 days (Netherlands). The Japanes postal services are the most efficient I have ever come across!

You can also find an Iwasaki on Rasurpur.de. I have bought a few items from Martin there and provideds fast & efficient service as well. Have a look at RasurPur Online Shop - The finest tools for a perfect shave
Jeff

I do believe that the current Iwasaki-Kamisori razors are new ones and not the ones that Japan Toolworker was selling made by the master. Please correct me if this is not right.

Thanks,

Lynn

According to So Iwasaki has been having health problems for quite some time. His apprentice has been making razors under his name for quite a while but they kept quiet about it as they did not want to hurt sales. As they came from Iwasaki's workshop they technically were still made under his supervision and given Iwasaki's name.

Although I've been shaving with a DE safety razor for sometime, I've decided to get an Iwasaki 50mm Sweden steel razor.
I'm getting one from Aframestokyo but Takeshi won't have any available for at least a month.
So in that wait time I'm going to practice a technique using a 6" metal ruler.
I've been trying a technique and while I'm left handed, I'm going to shave one side of my face with my left hand, and the other with my right.
I won't have the Iwasaki razor for at least a month, but I have ordered some Whetstones from Takeshi recommended by him because I want to learn how to keep the Iwasaki sharp.
I also want to keep the Iwasaki in pristine condition so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks.