Thread: Shaving with a Japanese Straight

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

You're right. I had a quick search, and the video I remembered was with the Feather razor.

Originally Posted by kevint

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

Thanks for reading, Kevin! Nope. I never do a WTG pass except around my mouth, with any straight. I found that with a properly honed razor, it doesn't add anything to my shave but more time. I start XTG everywhere else. With a kamisori, this means that I have to try several different grips, and try to forget my usual patterns. I still mostly go XTG on the first pass, but I ALSO mostly go XTG on the second pass except for a few spots where I can manage ATG. In addition, my XTG is sometimes in the opposite direction from a regular straight--meaning, for example, instead of going nose to ear on my left sideburn, I go ear to nose. Things like that.

The hard part was still my neck...I couldn't manage to get more than one angle down there. But I'm thinking of doing a "One month of only Kamisori" challenge to see if I can get it right.

My shave last night, with a minimum of grain-following, got me a lot of rather positive reactions from my wife...I think that's a good sign.

I have tried this twice now with my heavy 55mm. Using skin/omote style makes for much easier handling. That's really all I can say. Perhaps I need more practice with the angle, which as it's now working is rather steep. The ura I can lay down against the skin. Both sides shaving equally as near as I can tell.

Even after two re-finishings the edge is not what it should be from either side. I think I will drop back to 4 or 5k and try to sort that out before trying again.

I definately take my hat off to all you who get your best shaves from the assymetrical devils.
Cheers and good luck

Pic of the tip of a Tosuke.

Kanji side is to the right.

Just to add to the discussion for anyone not familiar with what these look like.

Also my diagram of the difference in cutting angle between Japanese and western styale razors.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Also my diagram of the difference in cutting angle between Japanese and western styale razors.

Forgive my amateur observations, but, including the bevel on the JSR, isn't the cutting angle exactly the same as the wedge? If you were to turn the diagram of the JSR so that the dotted line was perfectly horizontal, I believe you would have the exact same angle as you do on the wedge.

Of course, if that's just the picture and not the blade itself then I'll stand corrected. I might be getting one of those Tosukes really soon.

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Forgive my amateur observations, but, including the bevel on the JSR, isn't the cutting angle exactly the same as the wedge? If you were to turn the diagram of the JSR so that the dotted line was perfectly horizontal, I believe you would have the exact same angle as you do on the wedge.

Of course, if that's just the picture and not the blade itself then I'll stand corrected. I might be getting one of those Tosukes really soon.

Yes, in the end a cutting edge is a triangle, no matter how you slice it.

But, there is a difference between a knife edge and a chisel, is there not? To me, a western style razor is equivalent to a knife (symetric orientation to major axis of handle/blade), the Japanese style is similar to a chisel in edge geometry (asymetric orientation to major axis of handle/blade). If you have ever used a chisel, you will know that you get different types of cuts depending on which side you use.

I had a Tosuke briefly. It took a wicked edge, and gave a close shave, but I just did noy groove with the asymetry thing.

Cool.. I get what you're saying. Also, I imagine it has something to do with the direction in which the force is applied. It creates a moving angle at a different degree than a "knife" shaped bevel.

Originally Posted by JimR

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.

Sir,

Thanks for helping us find the right information as there is some erroneous information provided by some of our well-meaning members; I know it's not intentional but we are all learning from each other and that's what counts.

So, one uses the flat or the convex side against the face! Someone told me to use the concave side with the writing against the face which means it would best be suited for a lefty or a contourtionist.

There is alot of misinformation about the honing rations all the way from 3:1,3:2 and 7:3. The last came from a Japanese manual so I trust it the most.

My shaves have been close shaves as the edge grabs wach whisker like an angry samurai.
There is no smoothmess just lots of gripping. I have a nos Tosuke

So, do I hone more on the flat side or the hollowed out side with the writing?

Can you get Master Iwasaki-san's instructions on how to hone a razor?

Very Respectfully,

Dominic