Thread: Japanese Razor Talk!

I think when people are looking for solutions to a problem they fail to recognize the simplest and most logical ones in favor of complicated hypothesis and then complicate things even more in an attempt to justify their assumptions.

The fact that Joel or I or others feel the way we do about these razors has nothing to do with hearsay information or videos or theories. Its based only on our use of them over time and simple observation and in my case when I sold them a few years ago and what I learned from the venders in Japan. To us there is no mystery here. Maybe to some of you there is and I hope you will further investigate to determine the ultimate truth.

Take this as you will.

Enjoy your razors guys and I truly mean that.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think when people are looking for solutions to a problem they fail to recognize the simplest and most logical ones in favor of complicated hypothesis and then complicate things even more in an attempt to justify their assumptions.

The fact that Joel or I or others feel the way we do about these razors has nothing to do with hearsay information or videos or theories. Its based only on our use of them over time and simple observation and in my case when I sold them a few years ago and what I learned from the venders in Japan. To us there is no mystery here. Maybe to some of you there is and I hope you will further investigate to determine the ultimate truth.

Take this as you will.

Enjoy your razors guys and I truly mean that.

I take it with good intentions you convey tbs. with your statements on the subject I have never seen any further explanation, only something to the effect that if you are to master this style razor it must be used this way. As I said my razor responds the same way you describe.

My problem is- I don't want it to be that way so I struggle for explanations trying to think for myself rather than blindly accepting all i read.

I am investigating to determine the veracity of Joel's statement. As well as other facts of terminology and design. I guess you could say i want to believe Joel because that suits my lazy arse ways.

As you are well informed on their methods could you explain the design for us truth seekers. a humble and sincere request
_ Kevin Toomey

Ultimately the most important thing is we enjoy our razors our own way. Sometimes there is no right or wrong sometimes more than one ways are right nor wrong.

I have put the question to So a while ago. He is on holiday now. My experience is he investigates things, he has contacts in Japan, he has been taught honing the Japanes way from his father, he met with Iwasake-san and knows his successor (see my post on B&B) he deals in hones so I hope he'll be able to shed some light.

Think of it this way. We all use western razors and I don't think I have ever seen someone question why they are the way they are. So why were they designed to be used with two hands and not one? Why fold? Is the western way a better way? if so why? Is the shave superior? Its all a matter of your perspective gentlemen. Black is white and white is black. How would someone from Japan who never saw a western razor think about this? What conclusions would they reach?

And another thought, even if Iwasaki himself testifies the razors were made to be used two sided what does that mean? If you wanted to learn about how to use a straight or its history would you call Tim Zowada or Maestro Livi or Bill Ellis? They might be great razor makers but what does that have to do with razor use or history? Maybe they use electrics to shave themselves.

maybe some day we'll see a newbe post from iwasaki wanting instruction from us on how to use a straight. Wouldn't that be a laugh?

Like I said white is black and black is white.

Contact the Japan national Museum and ask the curator of edged implements if you want the straight skinny. Maybe.

what is the point with all the rhetorical questions?

We have questions. where's the problem with that miracle worker?

Look at it this way: How long has this forum been operational? How many questions are asked regarding techniques of straight shaving everyday. What is the average time between cycles of the same questions asked again and again?

The razor is one of the most simple tools- a single blade. one of the first things ever invented. why on earth should we even need such a place to discuss in such infinite detail

edit to add: fwiw my first source confirms that only the ura should touch the face. (concave stamped side)

Who was your first source, I didn't see it on a quick scan through the thread.

I think one of the problems that we are running into here is a difference in argument, i.e. whether it was intended to be used a certain way or whether it was found to provide the best shave by using it a certain way.

It may have been intended to be used one handed, but it is undeniable that many competent users report being able to use both sides equally.

Fwiw, my personal opinion is that it's appearance quite obviously suggests the one sided use, but the fact that the razors bevel, which is the only part actually cutting the hair, is a simple triangle would mean that an equally good shave should be attainable from either side. I have enjoyed using them one handed, but do not look down on using both if need be.

To me these are appealing, admirable tools of extremely high quality, produced by skilled smiths, and that is all that matters.

I think we are all in aggreement on that, so cheers to great shaves and supporting those superb craftsmen!