Thread: Shaving with Japanese razor

Originally Posted by CraigJ

I just go one of these and I was determined to learn how to use it with the concave side of the blade to my face. My first time out I found that when going up the side burn area it was easy on one side but impossible on the other. My ear got in the way of the handle on one side. Eventualy I stopped trying and went with the wedge side and adjusted the angle of attack accordingly. If I was only going to go XTG this would not be an issue.

This is probably my favorite razor because of its comfortable shave, smoothness, and nonirritation qualities.

If your using one hand only its impossible for me also. If you use two its not. You just have to think about how you are going to attack that part of your face and figure out how to hold the thing. Some of the holds are very awkward at first and you seem to have little control of the razor which is not a good thing when you have any sharp object at your face or throat. However if you take it real slow you can do it. You just have to find a way that's best for you. If your using the iwasaki it has a flat part on the convex side which is where your supposed to put either you thumb or forefinger and that kind of guides you.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If your using one hand only its impossible for me also. If you use two its not. You just have to think about how you are going to attack that part of your face and figure out how to hold the thing. Some of the holds are very awkward at first and you seem to have little control of the razor which is not a good thing when you have any sharp object at your face or throat. However if you take it real slow you can do it. You just have to find a way that's best for you. If your using the iwasaki it has a flat part on the convex side which is where your supposed to put either you thumb or forefinger and that kind of guides you.

What happens is that when I switch sides of my face the handle starts bumping into my ear when I come up the sideburn. If the handle points to the rear it is going to bump into my ear no matter which hand I use. The other parts of my face I switch hands and I keep the the concave side in.

I also don't see what difference it makes what side is to your face. The edge of the blade is say 17 degrees (or so) bevel. As long as you maintain a constant relative angle of attack (in relation to the cutting edge) I would think it doesn't make a difference. Of course you will need to change the blades angle of attack to maintain the same angle of the cutting edge when you switch from concave to wedge side.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I'm not sure about benefits, but in respect to shaving with both sides, the only way this can be accomplished is by inproper honing technique. In which case you are going to throw off the angle of the blade and the design, basically rendering it a "Frankenrazor".

Reference: The word Frankenrazor is quoted from Bigspendur.

That's a bigspendur trademark.

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.

On SRP it seems we can have even headed discussions about politics, religion, worldviews.....


But nothing quite stirs the pot like talking about using a Japanese razor!!!

I'm frankly guilty of not knowing any better. No body told me I couldn't shave with both sides. It' not my fault!

And, ignorance of the law is no defense...live and learn.

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.