Thread: Looking at obtaining my first Japanese Straight

Iwasaki and Henkotsu seem to be popular on here

for a look at them + other makers, see TAMAHAGANE MARU SEI | Tamahagane Honsha – Japanese Straight Razors and Knives [no affiliation, yada, yada]

the original Iwasaki was rightly legendary, he was a metallurgist who also worked on classifying Japanese Natural stones,

as well as having a hand in developing new steels in Japan

tho he did use tamahagane also

as do other Japanese razormakers ..

hm, is this the Yahoo site mentioned above: JAPANESE RAZOR

this is 'aframestokyo' he has many styles of Japanese [as well as some German] razor

ive not bought any razors from him, but i have bought stones

his English seemed good in the email exchanges i had with him

Takeshi Aoki at Aframes is a pleasure to deal with. I have purchased several Japanese western style razors and a strop and stone or two from him.
The other vendors mentioned in this thread are great to deal with.

Originally Posted by etorix

Iwasaki and Henkotsu seem to be popular on here

for a look at them + other makers, see TAMAHAGANE MARU SEI | Tamahagane Honsha – Japanese Straight Razors and Knives [no affiliation, yada, yada]

the original Iwasaki was rightly legendary, he was a metallurgist who also worked on classifying Japanese Natural stones,

as well as having a hand in developing new steels in Japan

tho he did use tamahagane also

as do other Japanese razormakers ..

Have you ever bought from Tamahagane Honsha.
Do they ship the razor in oil to prevent rust?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by etorix

the original Iwasaki was rightly legendary, he was a metallurgist who also worked on classifying Japanese Natural stones,

as well as having a hand in developing new steels in Japan

tho he did use tamahagane also

as do other Japanese razormakers ..

Iwasaki only was involved in researching and classification of Nagura , and no other Jnats.
Do you have any source of information about Iwasaki taking part in developing new steels? I know he modified Swedish Carbon steel to be close to properties to Tamahagane and that steel is what is used today for Iwasaki razors and also kitchen knives by some Sanjo smiths

@OP, most kamisori you will find are vintage, there is no maker that makes new stock other than Iwasaki.
You can also get Kamisori grind folding straights, they shave just as well as the traditionl ones.

Originally Posted by mainaman

@OP, most kamisori you will find are vintage, there is no maker that makes new stock other than Iwasaki.
You can also get Kamisori grind folding straights, they shave just as well as the traditionl ones.

Actually there is a guy who makes them currently. The mark is Kanenaga. They sell them on eBay. Not expensive. They are only yellow steel but I honed one yesterday & was impressed with the shave.

Isn't Takahashi Norikazu still making some?

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Actually there is a guy who makes them currently. The mark is Kanenaga. They sell them on eBay. Not expensive. They are only yellow steel but I honed one yesterday & was impressed with the shave.

Ah yes I forgot about those, and also there is another maker that does not stamp his, they pop on Aftrames Tokyo from time to time.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Iwasaki only was involved in researching and classification of Nagura , and no other Jnats.
Do you have any source of information about Iwasaki taking part in developing new steels? I know he modified Swedish Carbon steel to be close to properties to Tamahagane and that steel is what is used today for Iwasaki razors and also kitchen knives by some Sanjo smiths

@OP, most kamisori you will find are vintage, there is no maker that makes new stock other than Iwasaki.
You can also get Kamisori grind folding straights, they shave just as well as the traditionl ones.

ive seen benchstones for sale with 'Iwasaki Choice' stamp, intended for razors

i dont have a linkie handy for the 'developing new steels' bit, but ive seen several sources claiming this, one very recently, next time i come across one i will post

Originally Posted by etorix

ive seen benchstones for sale with 'Iwasaki Choice' stamp, intended for razors

i dont have a linkie handy for the 'developing new steels' bit, but ive seen several sources claiming this, one very recently, next time i come across one i will post

Iwasaki were never swordsmiths, the only steel that was developed was the steel that is currently used for their kamisoris and also for their western straights. It is modified Swedish Carbon to resemble Tamahagane in properties.