Japanese Straight Razor help

Hello,

I have trolled this forum for some time and am happy to be a part of the community now! I have been shaving with a DE razor for 2 plus years but I still am getting some burn on my neck, even after "perfecting" my technique. So I have decided to move over to straight razors. I do not care fore the way a western straight razor feels in my hand, but LOVE how a Japanese style feels! That decided, i am torn between what to do.
so i have 3 questions for all of you

1) What do you think about feather AC for people with sensitive skin? I like the idea being able to not have to sharpen the blade myself (but would not mind getting into the zen of it)

2) What japanese blades are out there to purchase new (I do not want a vintage blade)

3) where do i purchase these razors

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I have never used the Feather system, but I have read that the blades used on with those are very, very sharp and unforgiving.

As far as Kamisori are concerned, you can look at the various classifieds sections on the forums. SRD sells them at times. Jim Rion (JimR) also sells them from what I have seen. These razors are very pricey and different to hone than a western style razor, so you might run into a lack of information on that front. People do like to use them and are willing to help. I hope they chime in.

I still would try a western straight, you might find that you like them. If not, you can always sell it.

Good luck.

is there a japanese style that sharpens like a "western" razor? That would be perfect. I just like the way Japanese feel in my hand

PMFJI --

Do the Japanese straight razors have "laminated blades", like Japanese planes and chisels?

That is, a relatively soft steel body, with a really thin, really hard steel layer attached? Or are they tempered so that the edge is harder than the rest of the razor (which I think is how Japanese swords are made) ?

If so, they should stay sharp longer than standard Western straight razors.

Thanks --

Charles

The geometry of the Kamisori differ from those of western style straight razors. The Kamisori have asymmetrical sides, while the western straights are symmetrical. There are vintage western style straights that were made in Japan, if that's what you are after.

1) I don't consider my skin sensitive, but I've had few feather razors. The razors are really well made tools and the blades are excellent - they're sharp and smooth. Of course, you'll have to use reasonably good technique with them. I've never nicked myself with them (out of a dozen or so times), so I like to think that people who find them unforgiving, just need to be more attentive.
That being said, for some reason to me they felt more like a DE razor than a straight.

2) Iwasaki is the most popular, but I think there are a couple more makers. That's the current production japanese razor that I have.

3) You can purchase Iwasaki at straightrazordesigns, and there was one more place in hawai that sells them, I think they may be selling one more maker too.



My question though is how do you know you like the way these razors handle if you don't already use one?

I like them because I have felt a few when I was in Korea visiting. I have also felt the feather versions. It just feels MUCH better in my hand so I assume I will like it better than folding style.

They're also available in the UK now and the price also looks good to me Japanese Iwasaki razors :)

ian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

My question though is how do you know you like the way these razors handle if you don't already use one?

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He's right on this. Although I haven't used the Feather AC, comparing it to a traditional kamisori is apples & oranges. Trad kamisori like Iwasaki is a very hard laminated steel. It's essentially a single-sided razor that will be used and held a bit differently from the Feather whose double-sided blade appears intended to mimick the technique of a western straight or as one member indicated, even a DE. To really feel the benefit of a trad kamisori, you will need to invest in a good array of stones to sharpen and maintain it although it will hold an amazing edge for a really long time. The Feather is intended to completely eliminate this process, so while they're both made in Japan, that's about all they have in common.

Still, it may be a simple solution for your skin issue, as feather blades are renowned for their quality, and I use them in my DE. Maybe someone who owns the AC can chime in?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebighappyface

is there a japanese style that sharpens like a "western" razor? That would be perfect. I just like the way Japanese feel in my hand

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http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...nakayama-2.jpg

I've got one of these, just received it yesterday and not shaved with it yet. These sharpen like western blades and are made in Japan. The steel may be Swedish though, I don't know yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scipio

http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...nakayama-2.jpg

I've got one of these, just received it yesterday and not shaved with it yet. These sharpen like western blades and are made in Japan. The steel may be Swedish though, I don't know yet.

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I might be wrong here but those are blades that lengthwise mimic kamisori , but essentially are western style. that pelican is a wedge grind isn't it?

The use of straight razors in Japan is such that compared to the U.S straight use is popular here. Most japanese shave with an electric razor.

The Iwasaki and Tosuke were the best over the last decade or more but Tosuke is dead and Iwasaki is retired and as I understand it he had some apprentices who are making razor's with his name on it. There are a couple modern made Japanese razors out there but you have to watch the quality. Some aren't that hot.

Most who buy them consider it more a novelty and rarely use them. There are a few, very few who use them on a daily basis.

I think one of the members here recently had an iwasaki up for sale. Check the auction forum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebighappyface

Hello,

I have trolled this forum for some time and am happy to be a part of the community now! I have been shaving with a DE razor for 2 plus years but I still am getting some burn on my neck, even after "perfecting" my technique. So I have decided to move over to straight razors. I do not care fore the way a western straight razor feels in my hand, but LOVE how a Japanese style feels! That decided, i am torn between what to do.
so i have 3 questions for all of you

1) What do you think about feather AC for people with sensitive skin? I like the idea being able to not have to sharpen the blade myself (but would not mind getting into the zen of it)

2) What japanese blades are out there to purchase new (I do not want a vintage blade)

3) where do i purchase these razors

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

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With respect, if you're getting burn on your neck, maybe you haven't quite yet perfected your technique. ;)

If you like the feel in the hand of a Japanese style straight, without the honing or stropping, Smallflower sells the non-folding Japanese style Feather RG and Feather DX. They also sell blades for them. Use a VERY light touch with them, and you should be OK. Straight shaving is harder to learn than effective DE shaving. Good patience builder.

And here's a great youtube video showing how to use a non-folding Feather AC:

YouTube - Shaving with a Japanese Non-Folding Feather Razor

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

PMFJI --

Do the Japanese straight razors have "laminated blades", like Japanese planes and chisels?

That is, a relatively soft steel body, with a really thin, really hard steel layer attached? Or are they tempered so that the edge is harder than the rest of the razor (which I think is how Japanese swords are made) ?

If so, they should stay sharp longer than standard Western straight razors.

Thanks --

Charles

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Yes kamisori have "laminated" blades.
I don't know how the western Iwasaki razors are tempered but they were made of tamahagane which would lend itself to Honyaki style heat treat. Only a full polish would reveal any activity in the steel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mainaman

I might be wrong here but those are blades that lengthwise mimic kamisori , but essentially are western style. that pelican is a wedge grind isn't it?

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Pretty much a wedge. It's still a Japanese razor that hones like a Western one!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Most who buy them consider it more a novelty...

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Well, that's not to say they don't take and retain an edge better than most any razor, they do in fact. It's just really, really impractical to spend the kind of $ on stones needed to polish hard Japanese steels correctly unless you'll also use them for other tools.

These feathers (the RG and DX) actually look like nice compromises. Do those of you using them find they best a feather DE?