Kamisori style razor. Not getting a close shave?

So I got my Henkotsu gold size 2 honed up beautifully by Glen and have used it 3 times now. Each time though I have had to give a final shave with one of my western straights to get a nice clean finish.
What makes it harder is being right handed and not skilled enough to switch hands is a real pain doing the left side of my face lol.
The first pass I do is just not nearly as close as my western straights. Its not pulling at all its just not cutting the wiskers down to the skin like I am use to.
So is it technique or what???
I need some help here as to what I am doing wrong. Its not the honing, thats for sure. Its all me and I am just not sure where I am going wrong.

Thanks for the help !!!

Heres some porn for you guys too :tameshigiri:

From your description it seems like it could be a technique issue.

I imagine it's an angle thing.

Are you really backing off on the pressure???? That is always my personal biggest problem when I switch to a Kamisori...

I find myself using much smaller strokes with a kamisori where as with my western blades I tend to go for the long sweeping WTG strokes. I am thinking angle could be a factor here with you too. Alx

Thanks for the replies...

Yea I definatly back off the pressure somewhat .. Angle is probably close to the save. Though I have tried less angle and more angle but its being consistant that will bring a good shave, that I know. SO should it be more of an angle then I am use to or less? More pressure or less?

Oh and yes I am doing shorter strokes as well.

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Originally Posted by Earthdawn

Thanks for the replies...

Yea I definatly back off the pressure somewhat .. Angle is probably close to the save. Though I have tried less angle and more angle but its being consistant that will bring a good shave, that I know. SO should it be more of an angle then I am use to or less? More pressure or less?

Oh and yes I am doing shorter strokes as well.

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you need to figure out the angle I'd start with as low as possible .
as far as pressure less is more.

Which side of the razor are you using? If you are using the non writing side you need a pretty high angle. If you are using the other side you need a lower one and if you are using both sides the difference in angles can be daunting. Probably pressure is even more critical with a kamisori than a Western Style or I should say the lack of it being very critical.

You probably need practice but if issues persist contact Glen and discuss it with him.

UGH ! or GRRR! which ever one as I got bit not once but twice today!
The damn thing is so sharp, thanks again Glen ;) ,that on the down stroke on either side of my neck I took a hit. It was the tip just ever so slightly sliding down my skinny neck. Left side was about 2" & right side was about 1". Septic pen took care of it no issue.
Now I have got it so I can shave with either side of the blade. I figured out the angles so I can hold the blade in a manner that is comfortable and with a feeling of good control and most of all I can get great feedback from the blade. Meaning I know what its doing and how its shaving.
Whats odd, maybe, it that XTG going up my neck and jawline is super smooth and I might even say as close as I have had. I mean it shaves XTG without hesitation and is almost silky smooth going across.

So anyway, I was just posting my progress and venting my frustration at the same time.

And PS ... It is definatly a learning curve with the Kamisori style blades!

:rofl2: Trust that I am laughing with you, not at you...

I love my Kamisori but they are a stressful shave for me, it is a delicate balance between the pressure, the edge and the skin, that when you hit it, IMO it is the closest, most comfortable shave you can get.. But keeping that balance is the trick...
I can whip through a shave with a western style razor, but with a Kamisori it takes me patience and concentration


PS: I just decided after seeing your SOTD that tomorrow is Iwasaki day at my house :)

Are you making short buffing strokes?

When I use a Kamisori I use one side of the razor, very little pressure...pretty much the basics. One adjustment that is required is to alter the direction of the strokes from generally top to bottom on my right side to more of a back to front on my left. Seems odd, but it works for me and since I really don't like using both sides of the blade it's pretty much the best way I have found to get good results. As you have learned, the razor doesn't appear overly impressed with the differences between wtg, xtg or atg....as long as it's sharp enough.

To show solidarity with my "spud brother" maybe I'll go Iwasaki tomorrow too.:)