Thread: iwasaki

Hi all

I was reading about Iwasaki and his razors now, when I did find these link: http://www.munemasa.co.jp/english/1707-301.htm

Can that be tru??????

To shave up to 300-400 or even 1000 before any honing is needed? Or, is it just dam good stroping they do???

If not, that steel quality have to be superb.......some who use the same steel in Europe/USA?

Most, but not all, Japanese have light facial hair?
Al

I was gonna say that. There is no way you could get that sort of milage out of a metal edge unless you are doing little work.

Yes, I was thinking that to..to good to be tru maybe.

But, little work and light hair may do it.

The Japanese have same pretty amazing steel varieties but 1000 shaves is stretching the limits of any material to hold a razor's edge.

Most Japanese seem to have light and little facial hair.
It is no doubt great steel, but I'd pity the 1000th man to get shaved if they were all Europeans.

That is tru Bruno.......NOT me,,,aaaaaaaa

1000 shaves is a bit over the limit for any razors, as you sad Russel

It's not really the steel by itself anyway...some of the most expensive and hyped pieces are out of extremely simple steel. Geometry and heat treat will do a lot of the work for you.

And I agree, 1000 is a bit stretching it. These razors can be used to trim eyebrows and peach fuzz on women's faces too, so I wonder if that counts...

I don't doubt they're very nice, long-lasting razors, but there's no magic.

Yes, the most sought after steels in the world (Tamahagane, Wootz, etc) are essentially Iron and Carbon, and a few minimal impurities. It's the method of producing the steel (impurities, homogeneity), the way the smith forges the steel (grain refinement), the heat treatment and geometry that set the men apart from the boys.

But still, 1000 full shaves on a western beard is out of the question for any steel.

I agree that I sure wouldn't want to be the 1000th person! I have a Tosuke and shave regularly with it. It was a bear to get it shave sharp initially, however it is noticeably sharper than all of my other razors (all shave ready), and seems to hold an edge longer than anything else I own. I've heard others say to never strop a Japanese razor, only hone it. I find that the shave is smoother with regular stropping every time I use it, but that's just me.

The steel is "different" from anything else I have. I don't know how to describe it accurately; there is a different feel to it on your face. I really enjoy shaving with it, but I don't know if I'd like it much after being dulled down by that many faces, European, Japanese or otherwise