Thread: Shaving with Japanese razor

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is why I have stayed away from Japanese razors. Being a dominant hand shaver. If I ever get to the point where I go through the learning curve of using both hands I may get one and try it. Then there is the honing ratio thing. If I did get into it I would want to do it right. Seems like more trouble then it is worth.

Traditional Japanese razor are meant to be used right handed only with the concave or flat side to the skin

that makes it very awkward to find the best way to hold the razor on some parts of the beard

this is why i want some experience advice

the symmetry of these razors is similar to traditional japanese kitchen knives, also made for right handed use
unless i'm mistaken sharpening is the same on both razor and kitchen knife

Well, I'm left handed and am able to use one. Of course I shave using both hands.

Originally Posted by TstebinsB

I use the concave side only. The edge isn't the same with the convex.

Then again, I hone using a ratio, which is the correct way to hone a Japanese razor. That upholds the original angle of the edge as the razorsmith intended. Many people hone the razor like a Western razor - equal number of strokes to both sides of the blade. While that may allow the user to use both sides freely, in the words of thebigspendur, you'll end up creating a frankenrazor.

How do you deal with coming down the sideburn area? When the handle points backwards doesn't it bump into your ear? I can see this not being an issue if you have sideburns like Elvis but I shave mine off.

Jimmy, that video by Rusty Blade was what gave me the push to start using a straight! He's a skilled wielder of that thing. Good to watch it again!

I'm afraid i have no experience of using a japanese straight. I guess you just have to see what works. An alum block will no doubt give you pointers!

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Not unless he has ears like Dumbo.

At least for me anyway, I have never had an issue with my ears getting in the way of any part of a Japanese straight.

No Dumbo ears here.

When I'm on the right side of my face the handle does point towards my ear however I don't find that to be a problem. Maybe I have small ears, I don't know.

Ok, I just checked it out. You can shave with the handle backward over your ear. It is very awkward but not impossible. This was done with an Iwazaki blade.

When I tried to measure it up with a Tosuke it was a definite no go around the ears. The geometry of the blade has the edge and handle too close to being in the same plane. BTW my ears are small and sit very close to my head. No Dumbo ears for me.

Shaving this way is nearly like learning to start from scratch. I gave myself a couple little dings because I was clumsy with the blade. My left sideburn has the worst case of razor burn I have gotten in years. It is time to pull the towells out of the freezer.

yep, I've said that many times. Its like learning to shave all over again. A very humbling experience if your a veteran shaver but in the end once mastered you will get the best shaves in the world.

[QUOTE=kevint;310931]It was surmised that the asymmetry could be attributed to its exclusive use by barbers to shave others, which is to say that only when you barber can one sided use be employed. Which I don't believe to be the case, because western barbers use both faces as do shavers. With the w-k both users make use of the single side. Except for those that use both which is an shave angle thing

I was told by a Japanese seller of razors that they were first used to shave the heads of monks. Later the heads of the samuri, and then later they were used for the face. What they used for their faces before the razor I don't know. But it seems that it would be easy to shave someones head with it and use only one side. Don't know if this is true or not.

I do like that diagram..I wondered the same..and now I know!...but for me..I still have cactus hairs around my adams apple..which I have no choice but to use my electric..I could go upside down with the blade and ligthly scythe towards the direction of the cactus hairs which I think grow outward

pcdad