Iwasaki Query

OK, I'm a newb at this stuff, and occasionally I'll read a post regarding Japanese razors. There seems to be an almost mystical quality about Japanese razors and stones (and it's the same with certain Japanese fountain pens). After checking out some of the posts and their links, they've piqued my interest. So, with all due respect, what's so special about Japanese razors other than the fact that they're designed a bit differently and, at least, the Iwasaki seems to be hand-made? I'm finding myself wanting one to see what all the fuss is about.

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Originally Posted by TULIP

OK, I'm a newb at this stuff, and occasionally I'll read a post regarding Japanese razors. There seems to be an almost mystical quality about Japanese razors and stones (and it's the same with certain Japanese fountain pens). After checking out some of the posts and their links, they've piqued my interest. So, with all due respect, what's so special about Japanese razors other than the fact that they're designed a bit differently and, at least, the Iwasaki seems to be hand-made? I'm finding myself wanting one to see what all the fuss is about.

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I'm not an expert and haven't tried a Japanese razor, but I can safely say all Japanese straight razors (excluding feather) were handmade.

IMO, its all about the different look, style and perhaps the fact that those type of razors go back a lot further than the !800's western straights.

My 0.02

As for the razors, I find they shave well. I have two (a tosuke and an unknown antique) and both will happily keep getting sharp until I run out of hones and pastes at the very fine end. They take the finest edge of all my razors, hands down. They are also nice for those with dense and tough bears since they are very stiff and have shorter edges. You could have finishing nails coming out of your face and take them clean off with no drag assuming you honed the razor right.

There are some cons, however. It takes longer to shave since the blade is shorter and a little more difficult to use in certain places. They are notably difficult to hone due to the hardness of the steel and tendendy to chip on faster cutting hones. Lastly, due to the asymetrical grind, they tend to be a little tricky to angle and are terribly unforgiving when you don't.

The mystique, IMHO, stems from the "rawness" of the tool. Very effective in the hands of the right user, useless if not dangerous otherwise. Much like natural water stones, each seems to have a personal character, likes, dislikes and quirks. Since they are handmade, no two are identical.

Natural stones, similarly, are unique. Each has a personality. Their overall hard/softness, grit size and gradation, grit shape and hardness, how the particles are exposed, the flowing grain of the stone itself... they all interact with the blade touching it, its hardeness, grain, shape, weight. The belief is that a master polisher/sharpener will know which hones to use on which blade to achieve the results they want, matching each blade with its soulmate stone. Some craftsmen have been known to have over 50 000 stones in their collection, each one a little different.

I hate rambling, but I hope this answered your question.

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Originally Posted by floppyshoes

As for the razors, I find they shave well. I have two (a tosuke and an unknown antique) and both will happily keep getting sharp until I run out of hones and pastes at the very fine end. They take the finest edge of all my razors, hands down. They are also nice for those with dense and tough bears since they are very stiff and have shorter edges. You could have finishing nails coming out of your face and take them clean off with no drag assuming you honed the razor right.

There are some cons, however. It takes longer to shave since the blade is shorter and a little more difficult to use in certain places. They are notably difficult to hone due to the hardness of the steel and tendency to chip on faster cutting hones. Lastly, due to the asymetrical grind, they tend to be a little tricky to angle and are terribly unforgiving when you don't.

The mystique, IMHO, stems from the "rawness" of the tool. Very effective in the hands of the right user, useless if not dangerous otherwise. Much like natural water stones, each seems to have a personal character, likes, dislikes and quirks. Since they are handmade, no two are identical.

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This pretty much sums up my thoughts on the Tosuke as well, nice post floppyshoes!

Thank you, gentlemen. That clears things up quite a bit.

Anyone know anyone who specializes in honing one of these things?

I think Lynn has mentioned that he has honed a couple of them, they are (or at least the Tosuke is) quiet easy to hone, there are/was some posts here about how to hone them. If I remember right it's a forward/backward stroke with 3 trips on the concave side and 2 on the wedge side to keep the asymmetrical edge, take this with a grain of salt though.

I've achieved good results by using edge leading strokes, 2 one the concave side, then 3 on the flat all the way up to the 8k range. For the final polish I switch to a light rubbing motion, letting the blade almost float on the water and keeping the same rough proportion of 2/3. For pasted strops I don't bother with the 2/3 stuff. I usually follow the progression of:

norton 4k
norton 8k
Chinese 12k
0.5u Chrome Oxide on balsa
Newsprint
Linen

The following hones/pastes (IMHO) cut too fast and can cause microchipping:
DMT Plates
Norton 8k without sufficient water
Diamond Pastes
Boron Carbide Pastes
Spyderco Fine

It's a slow affair to hone these, but you'll be rewarded with a sinfully smooth and sharp edge. As usual, your results may vary. I've never even held an Iwasaki, and I speak only based on the experience I have with my japanese razors and the half dozen I've honed for others.

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Originally Posted by TULIP

OK, I'm a newb at this stuff, and occasionally I'll read a post regarding Japanese razors. There seems to be an almost mystical quality about Japanese razors and stones (and it's the same with certain Japanese fountain pens). After checking out some of the posts and their links, they've piqued my interest. So, with all due respect, what's so special about Japanese razors other than the fact that they're designed a bit differently and, at least, the Iwasaki seems to be hand-made? I'm finding myself wanting one to see what all the fuss is about.

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As I reported earlier today, one of the top ones reached $1644 at auction.
http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m48636826
Quite amazing.

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Originally Posted by RMV

As I reported earlier today, one of the top ones reached $1644 at auction.
http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m48636826
Quite amazing.

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I can't read Japanese, but this has to be a collector's item because the guy in Australia sells new 60mm razors for AU500, which translates to approx. USD450.

There are 3 types of Iwasaki's. The basic ones are the basic steel and the better ones are made from ball steel and the top of the line ones are made from tamahagne steel which is what is used to make the finest swords. Those razors sell for around $2,000 new if you can find one. I don't know if thats an Iwasaki or not but probably is the finest steel.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are 3 types of Iwasaki's.

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Ah...that makes sense. Thanks for clearing this up.