Thread: What should I look for in a Kamisori?

Hi,
I'm thinking of getting a Kamisori. I'm thinking price range of 100 - 150AU.
I've been straight razor shaving for almost a year. I have several razors and a DE. I consider myself to be quite a competant straight razor shaver and quite able to hone; though some older razors with more 'issues' offer more of a challenge for me. I find I enjoy a 5/8 full hollow best; but also like a more wedgy razor. I say that as a background to what I normally use, etc, so you can give good advice.

Questions:
I'm thinking Kamisori (I'm possibly using that term incorrectly, I'm talking about Japanese non folding razors like these) razors are less flexible than a nice hollow 5/8 vintage razor, would that assumption be true?

If you can shave well with a straight, would one find using a Kamisori reasonably straight forward? (same question re. honing)

What should I look for (or what should I stay away from)?

What size should I get given I'm currently using what are probably quite small (thin) razors (4/8 and 5/8) (though before today my next razor was going to be a 6/8)?

How should I store it? I use a leather case for my straights or their coffins. I know you can get stands or boxes. Is either better? Any other means of storage? I store my straights as stated on my desk in my bedroom. It get quite cold and moist in there in winter; so I'm thinking on a stand in the open may not be the best solution. I normally dry and oil my straights with Eucalyptus oil after each shave.

Can you get a decent razor for 100 - 150AU? I find one of my favourite razors is my Burrell Top Flight, and I think it cost only about 40bucks.

As I say, I'm not a newbie, but I'd be new to this type of razor.

BTW, I'm not bidding on the razor in the link, it'll be awhile before I can afford one...

Well, I can answer some of your questions.

Most kamisori's come in pretty much one size though they do make a larger one however most are pretty close to being the same around 150mm long overall with about 50-60mm blade length and 20mm or so blade width.

Storage is about the same as any other razor just that position is more of an issue since the blade is exposed. If you lie it flat one side bends upwards anyway so you are probably safe keeping the cantd side up or at least that's what I do with no mishaps. if you can store it upright even better.

If you go vintage condition is crucial. If it's in bad shape it might be past it's prime so there will be nothing you can do for it so you need to know what to look for when you buy and we have many posts here going into that in detail. Plan on sending it out for honing. You can really mess up one of these very quickly beyond repair if you don't know what you are doing.

As far as price goes, well you will need to pay what the piper demands if you want a serviceable instrument.

Perfect blade geometry and if vintage a well known maker such as Tosuke or henkotsu (originals).

I am the current high bidder on the one in your link and plan on keeping it that way lol...its a nice one! I just started with them and love them so far

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

I am the current high bidder on the one in your link and plan on keeping it that way lol...its a nice one! I just started with them and love them so far

LOL, How long can you hang in there?

J/K I'm not gonna mess with ya. Hope you win it without having to go any taller.

Not one penny taller hopefully.

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

I am the current high bidder on the one in your link and plan on keeping it that way lol...its a nice one! I just started with them and love them so far

Please tell us that you bowed out on that one.

lol yeah I wouldn't be caught dead paying that amount for that razor. there was nothing that special about it at all for that amount!!

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Hi,
Can you get a decent razor for 100 - 150AU? I find one of my favourite razors is my Burrell Top Flight, and I think it cost only about 40bucks.

I'm not sure how much it helps you, because of the relative rarity of kamisoris vs western straights. I have a Burrell Top Flight that I got for 7 USD. Razors are worth exactly as much as someone will pay for them. My best shaver is a W&B 15/16 Celebrated Hollow Ground that I happened to pick up for $20. That's well below SRP market value for that razor.

I would love to say that this is exactly the case for kamisoris, but I can't. The rarity of them outside of Japan (indeed, inside as well), drops the supply curve so low that it inflates the prices, notwithstanding how useful or desirable they are.

Originally Posted by geauxtig3rs

I'm not sure how much it helps you, because of the relative rarity of kamisoris vs western straights. I have a Burrell Top Flight that I got for 7 USD. Razors are worth exactly as much as someone will pay for them. My best shaver is a W&B 15/16 Celebrated Hollow Ground that I happened to pick up for $20. That's well below SRP market value for that razor.

I would love to say that this is exactly the case for kamisoris, but I can't. The rarity of them outside of Japan (indeed, inside as well), drops the supply curve so low that it inflates the prices, notwithstanding how useful or desirable they are.

Thanks, that's helpful. I might try one of these and see how I go. I know they're very cheap, but as long as they're not rubbish it'll do me just fine. I may remove the grip and get some waxed thread to wrap around it. I did that on a knife I used when I spent time on a Navy ship and it worked really well. I'm not looking for the 'best' razor (I just can't afford to pay a lot, regardless of how 'desirable' a razor may be) though I do appreciate the custom razors I see here. Just looking for a Kamisori that will sharpen as it should and shave as it should. I find all my straights have different personalities, and how much i like them, or how they shave has little to do with the cost