Thread: First Shave - Japanese Razor

I recently acquired a Feather Japanese-style straight razor and decided to take it for a test run. Now, I have shaved with a straight for some time; not every day but at least once or twice a week, so I am not unfamiliar with a straight. I also have the folding version of a Feather straight, and know how frighteningly sharp they are. Even so, seeing the Japanese razor sitting there in its holder with the blade exposed was damned intimidating. It looked more suitable for seppuku than for a shave. Nonetheless, I was committed to at least trying it, and lathered up with as much ceremony as I could muster.

I got my first surprise as soon as I picked up the razor. It felt utterly natural in my hand. No manipulation or twisting to get into the right position for the first stroke, it felt absolutely comfortable to just place the razor right up against my cheek. It seemed the razor just automatically found the right angle, and the first couple of strokes were like wiping whiskers off with a butter knife. I had to feel my face to make sure I did in fact take off more than just lather. It went the same for the rest of the face. There was no problem in adjusting the razor for my neck or for the other side of my face. I found it was just as easy to shave the opposite side of my face either using my left hand or reaching across with the right; the back hand stroke was a piece of cake and it was still easy to find the right angle the first time. Even my normally hard-to-manage spots, under the chin and around the mouth, were surprisingly easy. I could hold the razor up, down, sideways, pretty much anyway I wanted to to get to the rough spots. Even going against the grain was no more trouble than using a DE. I never thought I would be blade-buffing with this razor. I could hold the razor close to the head or farther down the handle to reach more distant places with equal ease, and could hold the razor very lightly without feeling like I was losing control. Not having to "look-around" the handle poking up in the air as with a normal straight provided extraordinary field of view of every portion of my face. Not insigificantly, the handle provides a sure grip by not having to actually hold the metal end of the blade, and adjusting angle seems to be more intuitive than mechanical.

So, all in all, I was absolutely amazed at how easy and effective this razor is. I was not expecting this kind of experience at all. No nicks, cuts, or even burn for the first shave; I don't even usually get that with my favorite traditional straight. I made two full passes plus some touch-and-cut cleanups, and most parts of my face were as close as any razor I use, including DEs. I read somewhere than traditional straights were actually made for a barber to use, and were not designed for the individual to use on his own face anyway. After using the Japanese-style straight, I can pretty much agree with that for other straights, but not for this one. This razor is just a whole new experience.

Now I have to find a Japanese razor I can hone for the whole experience.

Smithee

I've been using a straight razor for a bit over 8 months and just this morning I used a Japanese style SR for the first time, having been lucky enough to pick up the one recently offered in B/S/T by floppyshoes. I had guessed that the grip and use of this style of razor would not be too hard for me, because I have an odd grip on conventional SRs anyway. And I was right, although it still will take some getting used to. I think your comments about how nature this shape of razor is are quite right.

Anyway, it was a great shave and even though mine is hardly pristine, it's a really beautiful piece of steel in my eyes. I really enjoyed using it and, of course, I immediately started obsessing about getting a Tosuke or Iwasaki!

best, Dan