Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
Like Tree3Likes

Thread: Kamisori style razor. Not getting a close shave?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Earthdawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NY, Long-eye land
    Posts
    944
    Thanked: 201

    Question 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
    Attached Images Attached Images    

  2. #2
    I used Nakayamas for my house mainaman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Des Moines
    Posts
    8,664
    Thanked: 2591
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

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

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    2,746
    Thanked: 1014
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    I imagine it's an angle thing.

  4. #4
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    27,031
    Thanked: 13245
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

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

  5. #5
    alx
    alx is offline
    Senior Member alx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sonoma, California
    Posts
    418
    Thanked: 405

    Default

    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

  6. #6
    Senior Member Earthdawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NY, Long-eye land
    Posts
    944
    Thanked: 201

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    I used Nakayamas for my house mainaman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Des Moines
    Posts
    8,664
    Thanked: 2591
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Earthdawn View Post
    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.
    you need to figure out the angle I'd start with as low as possible .
    as far as pressure less is more.
    Stefan

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to mainaman For This Useful Post:

    Earthdawn (10-22-2011)

  9. #8
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    33,042
    Thanked: 5020
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    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.
    gssixgun likes this.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to thebigspendur For This Useful Post:

    Earthdawn (10-22-2011)

  11. #9
    Senior Member Earthdawn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NY, Long-eye land
    Posts
    944
    Thanked: 201

    Default

    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!
    gssixgun likes this.

  12. #10
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    27,031
    Thanked: 13245
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    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
    Last edited by gssixgun; 10-22-2011 at 09:38 PM.
    Earthdawn likes this.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to gssixgun For This Useful Post:

    Earthdawn (10-22-2011)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •