Thread: My holy grail, Iwasaki western Tamahagane

Hey! While you educated fellas are here, I have an Iwasaki and feel most certain it is not one of the more highly desirable ones.

Still, I would like to know more about it?
Only pic I have right now. I could get a better one. Nothing on the backside tang.
Shaves great!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Hey! While you educated fellas are here, I have an Iwasaki and feel most certain it is not one of the more highly desirable ones.

Still, I would like to know more about it?
Only pic I have right now. I could get a better one. Nothing on the backside tang.
Shaves great!
Thanks!

It looks like a really nice example of an Iwasaki Western Swedish Carbon Steel Razor that's been nicely re-handled. I don't know a lot about the carbon steel ones, but I do know that they are very well regarded as exceptional razors. They're less sought after than the tamahagane ones by collectors, but many would argue that's really only due to the relative scarcity of the tamahagane one's, not due to a significant performance difference or craftsmanship.

I can't see the Kanji well enough in the pic, but if it has an "M" on it, that stands for medium hardness. These were hardened to 775-795 Vickers (63 Rockwell) rather than the 800-820 Vickers (64+ Rockwell) that the standard carbon steel Western razors were. This was done to make them easier to sharpen, and were marketed to the growing number of female barbers in the postwar period. They tend to be a bit shorter as well which also makes them easier to hone.

By all accounts, Iwasaki never made a bad razor, and you've got a beautiful one there!

Originally Posted by Dovo1695

It looks like a really nice example of an Iwasaki Western Swedish Carbon Steel Razor that's been nicely re-handled. I don't know a lot about the carbon steel ones, but I do know that they are very well regarded as exceptional razors. They're less sought after than the tamahagane ones by collectors, but many would argue that's really only due to the relative scarcity of the tamahagane one's, not due to a significant performance difference or craftsmanship.

I can't see the Kanji well enough in the pic, but if it has an "M" on it, that stands for medium hardness. These were hardened to 775-795 Vickers (63 Rockwell) rather than the 800-820 Vickers (64+ Rockwell) that the standard carbon steel Western razors were. This was done to make them easier to sharpen, and were marketed to the growing number of female barbers in the postwar period. They tend to be a bit shorter as well which also makes them easier to hone.

I shall post a clear picture of the tang tomorrow.
Thanks for helping! I don't know it's history other than it was used in Japan. The tang is etched and not stamped.
I actually shortened it a tiny bit and rescaled it, as-explained in this thread; http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...l-iwasaki.html.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Hey! While you educated fellas are here, I have an Iwasaki and feel most certain it is not one of the more highly desirable ones.

Still, I would like to know more about it?
Only pic I have right now. I could get a better one. Nothing on the backside tang.
Shaves great!
Thanks!

<snip>

Nice...do you remember what size it is? You realize you're going to have to dig it out and post more pics of that right?