Thread: Just landed a Kamisori on ebay

Well, just landed a Kamisori on eBay, was very much an impulse buy, ill do research on how to use it but ill gratefully receive any tips or words of warnings that more experienced shavers would care to share.
many thanks in advance

Congrats. Im sure you'll love using them. Ive got a few and all are outstanding razors. Check out gssixuns vid on honing, I use this method and works perfectly for me. Strop like a western razor and dont get hung up on using one side (I use both sides no probs) but most of all have fun!
Good luck

P.S pics please!

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Congrats. Im sure you'll love using them. Ive got a few and all are outstanding razors. Check out gssixuns vid on honing, I use this method and works perfectly for me. Strop like a western razor and dont get hung up on using one side (I use both sides no probs) but most of all have fun!
Good luck

P.S pics please!

Thanks, this is the first time iv attached a pic on this forum so I hope it works!

Im looking forward to the new challenge, its sold as shave ready by what appears to be a very reputable seller so hopefully I wont need to hone it too soon. Do they dull in a similar way to straights, i.e. having to touch up the blade every month or so?

Nice kami! Cant see much from the picture but it appears to be in good nick. In my experience kamisori seem to hold their edge longer than a western razor, although frequency of use, beard thickness, user experience etc all factor in how long before a blade will need a touch up. Like a western, kamisori respond well with diamond pastes. This again extends the need to go to a hone. If the seller honed the razor himself email him and ask how they honed it, they can then tell you if they used tape and what method so when you do finally have to give it a touch up you can use the same way and not alter the angle which can cause a problem.

Thanks, I really appreciate things that don't look new. I guess I get wabi sabi when It comes to razors, adds to their story. Can you tell me if one could shave with both sides of the razor, I'm getting mixed answers?

Google Jim Rion Kamisori shave he explains very well about the strokes as he is doing them,, Jim put in a ton of time learning about Kamisori since he is in Japan..

Keep in mind there are basically three different thoughts on honing them so you will also get different thoughts on shaving with them, how you want to tackle that is your choice...

There are several honing vids out there, when I did mine I specifically avoided using what we MA'ists call "Dojo Japanese" and tried to make it as clear and straight forward as possible... I have found that the set up is the hard part for new people to the Kamisori but maintenance is easier then Westerns IMHO


ps: From the pic it looks to be in good shape

Originally Posted by Benjisco

Thanks, I really appreciate things that don't look new. I guess I get wabi sabi when It comes to razors, adds to their story. Can you tell me if one could shave with both sides of the razor, I'm getting mixed answers?

Its your razor, use it however you like! As I said I use both sides with great results. There's so much contrasting information that it can be confusing, have a play around and see what works best for you.

Originally Posted by Benjisco

Thanks, I really appreciate things that don't look new. I guess I get wabi sabi when It comes to razors, adds to their story. Can you tell me if one could shave with both sides of the razor, I'm getting mixed answers?

I have two "Modern/Faux" (asymmetrical grind, modern production - Brian Brown and a Hart Custom)
And I read and re-read the link that Gssixgun mentions and decided to try and learn how to use them "traditionally" with the flat side only to the face.

The good news - it was a great learning experience for me, and some of the skills I learned in that "struggle" help me every time I shave. (Shaving in between two finger stretching and one of the directions/strokes I use one one patch of my neck)

The bad news - I'm reminded of a quote:

A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
- Mark Twain

How you choose to use the Kamisori is very much up to you, it is your face and blade.
I was very glad that I tried it, and this thread makes me want to give it another go....

Smooth Shaving...

You will find since the blade is asymmetrical the shave is too meaning when you reverse sides the feel is very different and the shaving technique needs to be modified too.

Every face is a "Makee Learnee" with the Kamisori. I like to use mine...once I got them honed.
Go slowly and consider that you have a razorblade on a stick. That was true before the Japanese were known and some blade makers made travel sets with a similar though cruder final result.
Kamisori are a combination of no iron ore available but black sand; Art, and tradition.
A very Zen type of blade...and it can bite!
Take your time and enjoy the process. I've become a better straight shaver with some of the lessons they taught me.
~Richard