First Kamisori shave

I got myself a used Iwasaki kamisori and had my first shave with it yesterday in the evening.

It's a bit different to handle and took a moment until the respect of the new disappeared.
I went to the strop and started. The first few strokes where "uneasy" and with a bit of fear of loosing grip, but after 20 or thirty strokes it felt like I have used it for five years. Flipping actually works better than with a (western) straight.

Then to the shave. OK, how to hold it (her? ... her!) best? Yes, I've done some reading and watched one or the other video, but holding it Yourself is different.

First few strokes where like "hi, I'm Frank and this is my face". "Pleased to meet You. I am Iwasaki and this is my omote".
Getting familiar with each other, I concentrated on that and the shave itself and completely forgot about the holding her. My fingers found their way like when dancing and within no time this whole thing truely became second nature - I'm now absolutely sure I have been shaving with a kamisori for at least a few years; maybe in another life.

My hand finally found its basic position with three fingers side by side on the ura in the notch (which apparently has been made for that) and the thumb in the hollow of the omote right next to the stamp. This way, no pressure is needed to hold and guide her gently and precisely. It's so damn ergonomic that You wonder how you wondered in the first place.

There is a nice shaving video by Jim R on youtube. At certain points he warns "this part is a bit complicated" or "tricky", but when I shaved I did not feel any discomfort at all.

Unfortunately the shave was too got, so I had nothing to shave this morning, but I can live with that.

They sure are fun to use, couldn't help reading it "Hi, I'm Frank and I've got RAD"

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Originally Posted by DDTech

I got myself a used Iwasaki kamisori and had my first shave with it yesterday in the evening.

It's a bit different to handle and took a moment until the respect of the new disappeared.
I went to the strop and started. The first few strokes where "uneasy" and with a bit of fear of loosing grip, but after 20 or thirty strokes it felt like I have used it for five years. Flipping actually works better than with a (western) straight.

Then to the shave. OK, how to hold it (her? ... her!) best? Yes, I've done some reading and watched one or the other video, but holding it Yourself is different.

First few strokes where like "hi, I'm Frank and this is my face". "Pleased to meet You. I am Iwasaki and this is my omote".
Getting familiar with each other, I concentrated on that and the shave itself and completely forgot about the holding her. My fingers found their way like when dancing and within no time this whole thing truely became second nature - I'm now absolutely sure I have been shaving with a kamisori for at least a few years; maybe in another life.

My hand finally found its basic position with three fingers side by side on the ura in the notch (which apparently has been made for that) and the thumb in the hollow of the omote right next to the stamp. This way, no pressure is needed to hold and guide her gently and precisely. It's so damn ergonomic that You wonder how you wondered in the first place.

There is a nice shaving video by Jim R on youtube. At certain points he warns "this part is a bit complicated" or "tricky", but when I shaved I did not feel any discomfort at all.

Unfortunately the shave was too got, so I had nothing to shave this morning, but I can live with that.

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Nice write-up, thank you for sharing. I also had my first Kamisori shave just a couple of months ago and took inspiration from Jim's video. They sure are 'different' but I very much agree with your assessment of how ergonomic they are.

And the introduction bit was best in class, well written ;-)

Kamisori are just so simple in their use and function I think that is much of the appeal for me..

A trick I use when shaving them, I imagine a thin layer of water between the lather and the skin and I try and skim that as I shave using a very light touch, if I get it right then it is a WoW !!!!!! shave :)

my first kamisori shave was this morning. i poked myself countless times with the toe point and gashed my neck with it though thankfully didnt really bleed as wasnt a slice. i did not feel right holding it at all but i am so excited to try again i am wishing stubble on my face. as soon as i post this i think i will actually try just one with the grain pass haha.

im still a bit confused though. is the traditional style to have the stamps pointing away or towards your face????

I would say try it both ways and see which feels more natural and gives the best result to you.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Kamisori are just so simple in their use and function I think that is much of the appeal for me..
A trick I use when shaving them, I imagine a thin layer of water between the lather and the skin and I try and skim that as I shave using a very light touch, if I get it right then it is a WoW !!!!!! shave :)

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It was just my first attempt and already so much WoW. At some points it already felt like hovering over the lather. I'll really have to look into the "skim" thing :D. Thanks

The kanji (stamps) usually goes away from the face, I think it's so you can admire the beauty of the kamisori while shaving! ;)

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Originally Posted by bombay

my first kamisori shave was this morning. i poked myself countless times with the toe point and gashed my neck with it though thankfully didnt really bleed as wasnt a slice. i did not feel right holding it at all but i am so excited to try again i am wishing stubble on my face. as soon as i post this i think i will actually try just one with the grain pass haha.
im still a bit confused though. is the traditional style to have the stamps pointing away or towards your face????

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traditionally the ura = stamped side is pointing away from the face. Easy for a right handed person.

hope Your next try turns out better.

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Originally Posted by DDTech

traditionally the ura = stamped side is pointing away from the face. Easy for a right handed person.

hope Your next try turns out better.

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Easy when shaving the right side of your face on the first pass down, yes. For the left side of your face it's a different matter in the beginning. I taught myself to shave that side left-handed and the first pass is XTG. So I supposedly do it the 'authentic' way with the omote (non-stamped side) against the skin and the ura pointing out but I'm still wondering it's really required. I wonder if the entire discussion isn't based on the false premise that the original users shaved themselves. I can imagine that kamisori were used by barbers and of course a barber -who can move around the client- doesn't face this problem.

I have no problem shaving with the ura away and only my right hand on all of my face.

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Originally Posted by xenophon

I wonder if the entire discussion isn't based on the false premise that the original users shaved themselves. I can imagine that kamisori were used by barbers and of course a barber -who can move around the client- doesn't face this problem.

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the ebay seller did actually say it was used by a barber.

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Originally Posted by xenophon

Easy when shaving the right side of your face on the first pass down, yes. For the left side of your face it's a different matter in the beginning. I taught myself to shave that side left-handed and the first pass is XTG. So I supposedly do it the 'authentic' way with the omote (non-stamped side) against the skin and the ura pointing out but I'm still wondering it's really required. I wonder if the entire discussion isn't based on the false premise that the original users shaved themselves. I can imagine that kamisori were used by barbers and of course a barber -who can move around the client- doesn't face this problem.

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self-shave or not, it's simply not designed to be used on the ura. Front and back are completely different and even the honing is different on each side. That does not mean it cannot be used the other way round. With exactely one shave with a kamisori I'm not more an expert on that than You. All I can say is that for me it all seemed to be totally natural to use the omote only. I also got a minor cut somewhere, but I manage to do that with every blade every now and then, no big deal. However I used to shave with the right hand only for many years until I got the idea of using the other hand here in the forums and watching some videos a few months ago.

There is a video by Jim R on youtube which is not bad.

on the right side I go top -> down or nose -> ear and on the left side I go ear -> nose, top -> down or even bottom -> up (forward).
on the neck I go top-> down on the right side and bottom -> up on the left (at least, I think that this is the way I do it. I somehow just do what I at a time feel is the right thing to do)


Try the grip I described, You're then basicly holding the blade like a scraper and the long tail serves more or less as a rest or guide.

I've been shaving -mostly- with various kamisori for the past couple of years :D (except when away on business, then it's a DE due to time constraints) and getting a good shave so that's not the issue. Matter of fact my favourite one is the tamahagane Iwasaki, a superb shaver and when you think of the tradition and workmanship behind it, it just makes one appreciate it even more. I know the blade geometry is very different from a conventional straight. I know Jim Rion's take on the matter -omote side to skin only- and no doubt historically that's the 'correct' way, especially when being shaved by a barber. Do it myself that way too. But I know a couple of people -not too many but hey, how many shave with a kamisori? When I was in Tokyo on business last year even most japanese thought I was crazy for using it instead of a Mach xx and canned foam- who use both sides and also get excellent results.

So far to my knowledge no one has been able to offer an objective technical reason, supported by argument going beyond the 'that's the way it is because that's the way it is' one as to WHY one should only use it that way. The honing is different but it's not like if only one side is honed. Anyway, I think people should do whatever works and is most convenient to them.

Your shaving sequence and method are about the same as how I do things, reading your description, I'll see if I can get some pics of my Japanese steel online soon. Love them for their simplicity and clean design. And the fact that they're really wicked sharp and keep a terrific edge when treated well, probably also due to the hardness of the metal (about 65-67 HRC for the tamahagane one from Iwasaki I believe).

what a difference a day makes. i completely changed how i was holding it for a DFS, i even managed to keep the toe point in check. i used both hands and front and back of razor and i actually think my left cheek is smoother.

i have only used a full hollow grind and this seems a complete different experience. does it feel like a wedge or something, or is it in a league of its own?

i dont know why but i couldnt stop myself from applying too much pressure the whole shave i think i was worried it wasnt properly shave ready so im sending it to be properly honed today, i can only wait in anticipation

Japan is full of rules on how to do things "right", I happen to like the traditional way so i just do what I'm told.

when i get better at it i would like to keep the tradition as well, just practise and time

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Originally Posted by bombay

when i get better at it i would like to keep the tradition as well, just practise and time

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You'll get there, don't worry. Don't be discouraged, just take it slowly. If you want to do it the authentic way I do think that -keeping the previous phrase in mind- you immediately start out that way, you need to build muscle memory. But go slow and easy. Also, like most straight razors, the majority of kamisori do not really come shave ready. The only exception to this was my tamahagane Iwasaki, I think they take special care while producing that one. But my 50 mm Iwasaki had to be touched up to really bring it to its full potential. If you're not an experienced honer I strongly recommend that you fork this out, that's what I did. The good news is they keep their edge almost forever provided you strop them well. Don't give up, it's a matter of time and practice.

mine was a proper antique, heavy uneven hone wear and all not a henkutso or whatever. the seller just had two of them and his other items were just like old postcards and stuff. i had to hone off a bit off a fair bit of pitting then it kind off passed the shave test, no tugging or anything but i have sent it away to be honed professionally just to be on the safe side.

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Originally Posted by bombay

what a difference a day makes. i completely changed how i was holding it for a DFS...

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Sounds good, great!

no one would compliment my kamisori in the original thread i made for it so i am posting more pictures in this one

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I've been shaving with a kami for a month now and , since I never saw any videos, I never wondered how to.
I just shaved. That is the way I do things, I'm not the pondering type of guy.
I had wonderful and nice shaves, pretty much the best shaves I could get with a straight, with the omote and the ura side alike.