Thread: Japan Woodworker Iwasaki Razors--Finally Arrived!

Since my Iwasaki arrived, I've had the opportunity to use it several times. First, I took it out of the box and tested it on the short hairs on my arm. I use short hairs because I believe they more closely resemble the face situation. When a razor is really sharp, I expect it to cut off a hair at the base and not leave a black dot.It did that right out of the box. I used the same prep routine as with other straights. The first shave was close but rough. The second time, I stropped it on both sides on a Hand American cordovan strop. The shave was extremely smooth and close. My benchmark instrument for closeness is a Gillette double edge called "The New", made in the 30's with a Feather stainless double edge blade. . I t was new old stock from e-bay. It is an open comb razor whose tines don't just arc out, but arc out and then bend down. I went through several razors over the course of a couple of years, and that one really left my face smooth. I can go any direction with it.

I shaved with both sides of the Iwasaki. I noticed that both sides showed evidence of honing,unlike some of my other Japanese knives which have an bevel like a chisel, and are meant to let the slices fall in a given direction.The bevel, the edge, on my Iwasaki is two sided, like that on a western knife. Whether the bevel has equal sides, I can't tell. So I used it on both sides, just switching sides as I moved from one facial or neck side to the other.

So far, the only straights which shaved like that out of the box were purchased from Straight Razor Designs. One is an 8/8 which I understand was in Lynn's collection, and the other was a Livi regrind.

I also noticed that the blackening does rub off. Some of it was slightly rubbed off when it arrived.

So far, after about 5 shaves, I did nothing to it but strop it. I don't know how I will proceed when stropping doesn't restore the sharpness.

Jerry

You should just send it to me, a blade that doesn't stay sharp is worthless. PM me for my adress etc.

I got one of the original two Iwasaki's sold by Japan Woodworker earlier this year. I could not believe how well it shaved - baby butt smooth in two passes.

But now I cannot get the thing sharp to save my life. If there are any honing experts who would like to try and refurbish the edge, please PM me. Only hone masters with a lot of posts on this site will be considered.

Hi,

I'll tell you what I did as mine was not quite as sharp as I liked it: I took it to the Y/G Escher but I am sure a Thuringen hone or coticule would have been fine. 15 passes and afterwards 50 passes on the Nakayama, but you can use a pasted strop with .25 paste as well I think (I never use pasted strops). I would be glad to help but live outside of the USA, which makes shipping more expensive for you.

Guys,
I moved part of this thread, which has turned into a fascinating discussion of Japanese razors, into the razor forum where you may get some more traffic.

Thread segment forked here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...azor-talk.html

Thanks

-Rob

Good move!

Originally Posted by sicboater

Guys,
I moved part of this thread, which has turned into a fascinating discussion of Japanese razors, into the razor forum where you may get some more traffic.

Thread segment forked here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...azor-talk.html

Thanks

-Rob