Thread: Damn Iwasaki

Auction on japanese site for $1644, and another 2h to go.
They are really not joking about those razors.
http://translate.google.com/translat...ale=0jp&acc=jp

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m48636826

I understand this is the top of the line regarding the steel.

Eventually I am looking for one, not the kind described above, I CAN'T, just the "regular" Iwasaki, and if possible with a natural stone. So let me have your comments. Just to let you know I have been thru the forum, learned a lot, so I know what I want regardless of how difficult it is to use. Damn Iwasaki's.

www.rasurpur.de
sells the 'regular' iwasakis new.

EDIT: Those at rasurpur look the same as the one in your auction, but of course I cannot distinguish between the types of steel.

I cannot distinguish them neither, execpt that the stampings are different.
Thank you for the site info, I will still be looking. Maybe some members would like to depart from one?

There's only a handful that have one.
Perhaps if you post a WTB in the BST forum?

Done, Thank you.

Just so as you know..

you could get a beautiful Maestro Livi, Joe chandler or Tim Zowada razor for less than half that..

and it would likely hold an edge just as well, and shave better and easier...

but *shrugs* your call

I am just different, this is what I want and I will try until I get it right. My choice, no collection item, I will have only 1 razor and this will be it.

You might want to pick up a Feather AC. Yes, I know it isn't the same EXCEPT for the actual shaving motion. Some folks prefer this style, others don't and it would be a cheaper/easier way to figure that out. This would let you try the Japanese style without having to worry about the honing idiosyncrasies of the Iwasaki (which are not insignificant). They show up in the B/S/T areas pretty regularly.

Enjoy,

Ken

Hello,

Here are my 2 cents. I bought an Iwasaki from rasurpur and got it about 2 weeks ago. The total transaction took about 2 weeks and Martin was very nice to deal with. The razor came shave-ready, i.e. it passed the HHT and was able to sweep hairs from my arm rather effortlessly. Stropping has been the same as with my other straights, maybe a little easier because of the length of the blade. I found the shave to be challenging yet entertaining. I've read a few posts where the writer noted that it was most difficult to shave the right side of the neck. I can corroborate that. Due to the angles, I lost focus on the pressure. For a while, I was getting razor burn you could see from space. My biggest problem now, though, is the square point. I've only used notched or round pointed razors so I have been fairly regularly puncturing, mostly, my neck trying to get the angles right. The resultant shave, though, is excellent. I haven't tried to hone it yet. But, since I've screwed up every other edge I've tried to hone, I won't feel too bad if I mess this one up at first either. My opinion, if you don't mind the startup costs, financial and physical, I think it's a good investment. I started straight shaving because shaving with a disposable/Mach 3, whatever, was a chore. I find shaving with a straight razor both entertaining and relaxing. The Iwasaki satisfies both those criteria. Hope this helps.

Thank you Nick, this is the way I see it. I have been using a safety razor for over a year now, with the intent to step up to a straight. So I have been searching and educating myself, keeping on file the type of razors I like, then I stumbled onto a Japanese strait and it was love at first sight (also after seeing the pic of the SRP's home page). The rest is history, questions, education. The challenge is coming up, I am comitted to get it to the point where it is going to be my only razor and to use it as much as possible.
In fact in setting up myself properly, in a way of tools and pleasure, I just received yesterday a sample kit of shaving soaps from TGQ, 7 different "flavors" for $16 delivered (thank you Colleen). The frangances are umbelievable, and such soap should perform as describe by much more experienced members users. The problem I will be facing after using them .............. which one to order? I also have on the way 2 after shaves, Brave Soldier Code Blue and Decleor Moisturizing after-shave balm, and a shaving cream Brave Soldier Brave Shave, all from SkinCare Lab.
My next step will be a good quality strop. So as you can see I am very serious about my quest and what I want to achieve and enjoy.
BTW I just finished my DR Harris Almond, which prompted me to do some extensive reading/research leading me to this forum and helpful hints from a lot of its members.

So I would like to take a second to thank all of you for your support/help and unselfishness in sharing your experiences, in order to make my own less time consuming and a lot more enjoyable.
THANK YOU.

Originally Posted by Nick Burns

Hello,

Here are my 2 cents. I bought an Iwasaki from rasurpur and got it about 2 weeks ago. The total transaction took about 2 weeks and Martin was very nice to deal with. The razor came shave-ready, i.e. it passed the HHT and was able to sweep hairs from my arm rather effortlessly. Stropping has been the same as with my other straights, maybe a little easier because of the length of the blade. I found the shave to be challenging yet entertaining. I've read a few posts where the writer noted that it was most difficult to shave the right side of the neck. I can corroborate that. Due to the angles, I lost focus on the pressure. For a while, I was getting razor burn you could see from space. My biggest problem now, though, is the square point. I've only used notched or round pointed razors so I have been fairly regularly puncturing, mostly, my neck trying to get the angles right. The resultant shave, though, is excellent. I haven't tried to hone it yet. But, since I've screwed up every other edge I've tried to hone, I won't feel too bad if I mess this one up at first either. My opinion, if you don't mind the startup costs, financial and physical, I think it's a good investment. I started straight shaving because shaving with a disposable/Mach 3, whatever, was a chore. I find shaving with a straight razor both entertaining and relaxing. The Iwasaki satisfies both those criteria. Hope this helps.