Thread: Kamisoris

I have some questions for you kamisori owners as I know very little about them (almost nothing). How are they made? I understand they are made with 2 different steels, soft and hardened but what is the construct of those metals and why? Is the grind a microtome? I would just like to learn about them out of curiosity.

Well, I dabble in them but can't tell you much about the technical side other than it's the way they are. Yes they are made of differing steels. I'm sure someone more tech savvy will come along and tell you more.

They are not a microtome they are asymmetrical. One side is more hollow type and the other more wedge type. Really they are just unique unto themselves.

Kamisotis are double concave asymmetrical grind.
The reason for the two steel construction is that @ HRC 63-65 it is easier to make the razor this way the failure rate is much lower than mono-steel construction. The spine has to be softer than the edge, this can be done by the honyaki method and this has 2 out of 3 failure rate I believe (for knives)
The soft iron provides heft to the blade. I also think the whole process is a tradition left from the times when Tamahagane was used for making kamisori, and given the limited amounts that one can get from a smelt it would make sense to make the razors this way.
The metals used for kamisori are soft iron and hard white #2, tamahagane, or swedish steel. I am not sure if blue # 2 steel is popular for kamisori.

So microtome grinds are honed the same as a kamisori but they are different designs?

Originally Posted by xMackx

So microtome grinds are honed the same as a kamisori but they are different designs?

Not really but yes


You have to use tape to create a shaving edge on a Microtome IMHO
Microtomes were never designed to Shave they were designed to Cut so honing on one side only like a chisel was fine as it would create a very sharp edge , but that edge will be pretty harsh on the face. To create the smoothness you have to hone both sides

Hope that makes sense

g

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, I dabble in them but can't tell you much about the technical side other than it's the way they are. Yes they are made of differing steels. I'm sure someone more tech savvy will come along and tell you more.

They are not a microtome they are asymmetrical. One side is more hollow type and the other more wedge type. Really they are just unique unto themselves.

BTW Nelson, is the General ready for another tour of duty???

Originally Posted by Ryan82

BTW Nelson, is the General ready for another tour of duty???

If it is I sure would like to try!

I have him sitting in solitary confinement being that he always tries to foment insurrection with my other razors and the confinement is making him especially ornery and surly.

I don't see any reason why we can't start another pass around here. I'll check it out and hone err up and maybe we'll start with the North Country this time. I'll shoot for some time in April to get this going.

I have no idea what you guys are talking about.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have him sitting in solitary confinement being that he always tries to foment insurrection with my other razors and the confinement is making him especially ornery and surly.

I don't see any reason why we can't start another pass around here. I'll check it out and hone err up and maybe we'll start with the North Country this time. I'll shoot for some time in April to get this going.

missed out last time, maybe this time around....