Thread: Japanese Style Straights

Hi,

I've been reading around for a while now and looking into getting a Japanese straight. The only problem is that I don't know where everyone seems to find anything other than an Iwasaki. and the only ones of those that I can find for sale are here

Iwasaki 50mm Straight Razor in a Paulownia Box <!W-I-JR> - The Japan Woodworker Catalog

and I don't even know if that's a reputable vendor.

Could some of you veteran Japanese straight users chime in and lead me in the direction of finding one of these beautiful straights?

Thanks,
Kevin

I know JimR has (had?) some for sale. I have also been looking around because I am curious on trying one, but there don't seem to be any on the cheap like vintage western straights. I might try making my own handle for one of them...

I got my tosuke from OLD_SCHOOL, you could check with him if he's still able to get hold of them.

Looks like JimR is out of stock...

Eastern Smooth: The Store!


But Martin at rasurpur has some:

RasurPur Online Shop - The finest tools for a perfect shave

JWW is very reputable company
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...y-arrived.html

I got my size 1 from them. If you're in CA expect to pay additional $25 in tax. :beer:

JimR's awesome very fast shipping to boot! Highly recommend Jim. He's very knowledgeable about them as well as KevinT, Lynn, OLD_SCHOOL and many others. You can't go wrong with these guys.

You know what we need at SRP? A member to member "try before you buy" feature, or something similar. I would love to at least try a Japanese style straight, I just don't have $300 to dish out on one. Solid vintage eastern razors can be had for as little as $30 shave ready, but I have yet to see a Japanese blade of any age go for under $200.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

You know what we need at SRP? A member to member "try before you buy" feature, or something similar. I would love to at least try a Japanese style straight, I just don't have $300 to dish out on one. Solid vintage eastern razors can be had for as little as $30 shave ready, but I have yet to see a Japanese blade of any age go for under $200.

Old_School sold three for $138.00 each. Another vintage Japanese went for $150.00 recently. Still quite expensive compared to a $30.00 vintage though.

It's true. The most expensive razor I (almost) have is a Wapi on its way to me. Which basically puts Eastern blades out of question. Does anyone know why they are so much more expensive? I know some are completely handcrafted by one swordsmith, but surely they can't all be made that way...

The main reason they cost so much is because you want one. No joke. If you go to the many flea markets each weekend in Tokyo there are plenty of them however they are all vintage and most are in poor shape. The new ones like Tosuke and Iwasaki are in short supply. Tosuke is dead and Iwasaki is retired. They do have apprentices and they do make some.The last 40 years or more these razors there were never popular in japan most japanese shave with Electric Razors so only a very few were made at a time. To get a vintage and do extensive repair can be very time consumming and difficult, much more so than western razors.

Just imagine if the only new western straights being made today were made by Mr Williams and Mr Zowada and thats it in the whole world. How much would one cost and how long would you wait for one. That's the deal pretty much with the Japanese razors.

I think I grabbed the last one from JimR. As another said, he is very knowlegable, super-fast shipping and so easy to deal with.

I was initially concerned that I wouldnt be able to master the use of the razor, as I intended to use it in the traditional way, however Jim's recent video demonstrating its proper use was excellent.

My only problem now, is that my initial shave with the razor was that good that I want to get a few more, however they are like hens teeth.

Having an iwasaki, I would like to try another maker, so if anyone finds somewhere to get them online or if anyone wants to part with something, please let me know. Also interested if someone wants to broker an acquisition.