Thread: Shaving with a Japanese Straight

Last week I came across a youtube video of someone shaving with a japanese straight. There are probably more. The video gave me some useful ideas for regular straight razor shaving.

I'll be trying a japanese straight in 1 or 2 weeks.

The traditional Japanese Straight was being used long before western style straights were introduced into Japan. Very few Japanese in the old days went to barbers for shaves the same as most westerners. Most shaved themselves.

Its like I have always said when we come across something that seems alien to us we try and think of some complicated reason to explain it instead of just accepting the obvious. In this case the obvious is they learned to use the straight the same way we learn to use a Western Straight.

OK, so I talked to my barber about shaving with a kamisori, and he said that it should only be used with the flat/omote/no-kanji side against the face. This is because the honing ratio/style makes a bevel that cutes best flat against the face. If you do it backward, the bevel angle will be all wrong and you'll be at greater risk of cuts and uneven shaves.

Again, this is what my barber says. I trust him, but do what you will.

I believe the only You Tube Video on a Japanese Style Straight Razor is one where the guy is using a non folding Feather Razor.

One with a real Japanese razor would be killer.

Lynn

When I first saw a Japanese straight I really wanted one. But after I learned how you have to use one hand I thought it would be kinda awkward.
However, now the more I read about them the more I find myselt thinking it would be fun learning how to use it.
All that aside, I don't think my bank ballance will allow me to get one any time soon.

One last addition, I practiced my honing on my Tosuke tonight, and just gave it a shave.

DANG, that is one smooth shave...

They take a little getting used to, especially since you kind of have to forget your usual WTG/XTG/ATG patterns and learn to fit the razor, rather than fit it to you.

Lynn, I'll consider it, as soon as I get prettier.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I believe the only You Tube Video on a Japanese Style Straight Razor is one where the guy is using a non folding Feather Razor.

One with a real Japanese razor would be killer.

Lynn

Agreed.


I may have to do this!

Originally Posted by JimR

OK, so I talked to my barber about shaving with a kamisori, and he said that it should only be used with the flat/omote/no-kanji side against the face. This is because the honing ratio/style makes a bevel that cutes best flat against the face. If you do it backward, the bevel angle will be all wrong and you'll be at greater risk of cuts and uneven shaves.

Again, this is what my barber says. I trust him, but do what you will.

I know what I'll be doing this evening! Picturing it in my head it should make most things much easier. A regular 3 pass style shave? no, i cant manage to do that regardless.

Someone had to go get the rice cake- Thank you Jim-sensei for clearing that up. Is the stamp side then, still the ura?

Originally Posted by kevint

I know what I'll be doing this evening! Picturing it in my head it should make most things much easier. A regular 3 pass style shave? no, i cant manage to do that regardless.

Someone had to go get the rice cake- Thank you Jim-sensei for clearing that up. Is the stamp side then, still the ura?

No no, thank Kawaguchi sensei...he's a true gem. And yes, the ura is the stamped side--sorry for that confusion. I asked especially--stamp side Ura, no stamp omote. Omote against the face.

What I did tonight was practice grips. I found that I needed to shift the razor into some rather unorthodox grips to get a good shave, but I did get an exceptionally good shave so it can be done.

I just finished reading your latest blog entry. It does seem obvious; Now !
Do you try to do w; x; atg s?