Iwasaki Kamisori - Unboxing.

Here is my brand new Iwasaki Kamisori 50mm Swedish Steel Razor.....PART I.

After unboxing the razor it did not seem to take that many hairs off my arm as I thought it would so I put it on the chromium Oxide on balsa, 6 times on the Omote side and 1 time on the Ura side, I did this for about 6 sets. Then I did the same on the linen and then on the leather.

Not sure if this is correct but after this method the blade was noticeably popping way more hairs off my arm than it was straight out of the box.

I then shaved with it, after many months of conventional straight razor shaving and then having a shave with the Iwasaki it certainly helped with technique and was not as tricky as I thought it would be.

The handle being rather thin started giving me minor cramp at times so I just changed positions and the easiest part of the shave I found was on the neck going up towards the jaw as for some reason I could really hold on to the razor thereby giving it more control.

I am sure it is all a learning curve that would not take long to master as my first shave even though a little tricky gave great results.

I tried to be traditional and only keeping the Omote side towards my skin but as I was running late for work I cheated a little and used the Ura side as well on the left hand side of my face.

I personally found the overall quality of the razor including the packaging very good indeed and I was most impressed. Oh and I think the razor looks cool, the stamping, the design, the Wisteria, the contrast between black and silver, it just begs to be shaved with.

In conclusion I am more than very happy with my purchase and I can see me using this razor on a regular basis.

Thanks.



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Thanks for looking. :)

Ooo very nice! Great pics too. Thanks for sharing!

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Originally Posted by EisenFaust

Ooo very nice! Great pics too. Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks Mr. EisenFaust, I have yet to make those Micarta scales, been a bit busy with other things or should I say lazy (no I should not say that).

Thanks for sharing planetocean. I'll look at an Iwasaki anytime.
MIke

Very nice razor and excellent pics.

I have a question about using the razor. I know that this has probably been covered before but I would appreciate the perspective from someone that appears to be new to Japanese razors. Can you use both sides of the razor and obtain an optimum shave?


Thanks,
Richard

that is one beautiful razor!!! if you don't mind me asking, where did you order it from?

very nice razor! congrats on the purchase.

"You can have my Iwasaki Kamisori when you pry my cold dead hands from around it" Wait that's my 1911 :rofl2:

Heck you can't have either :p

I have always found shaving with these traditional Kamisori rather stressful, but the shave is fantastic, perhaps if I got to shave with mine more often I would relax a bit more :)


Hope you love yers as much as I do mine, if I ever gave up collecting razors and just became a "Shaver" this would be my first choice as a keeper...

very nice, i have a similar one and need to get back to using it.

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Originally Posted by riooso

Very nice razor and excellent pics.

I have a question about using the razor. I know that this has probably been covered before but I would appreciate the perspective from someone that appears to be new to Japanese razors. Can you use both sides of the razor and obtain an optimum shave?


Thanks,
Richard

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Yes I am very new to the Kamisori shave and I just had my second shave this morning, well at the moment it is very tricky shaving the left hand side of my face with the Omote side and I have resorted to shaving with the Ura side (the stamped side), but only in certain areas like downwards from my sideburns .

I am sure it is all a learning technique to be able to shave the whole face with the Omote side.

But I have seen (YouTube) and read that you can use both side and still have an excellent shave but the traditional way is just using the Omote side only but what it really comes down to is what works the best for you.

If you do not mind braking tradition then I am sure using both sides will still give you an excellent shave.

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Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

that is one beautiful razor!!! if you don't mind me asking, where did you order it from?

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Here is the link to where I purchased it from:

IWASAKI RAZOR Japanese Style Razor 50mm Sweden Steel

Regards.

Hi planetocean
Just for clarification and proper recognition Mizuochi-san (in red) is the blade smith that made the Iwasaki Swedish laminate version. Iwasaki-san (Iwasaki Shigeyoshi) the gray haired gentleman, is his predecessor. Both are master blacksmiths.
Mike

http://i.imgur.com/jUy8a.jpg

Having just purchased Two (2) I'm looking forward to receiving them. One is smaller than the other and since I couldn't decide I figured why not just get both as I'm currently rich (LOL). Actually, I just sold my house and I had enough equity to have a bit of cash left over. So, being rich is certainly very temporary and the significant other is very quickly tiring of my jokingly saying that. Anyway, while I've never tried a Kamisori I figure the way I grip the razor (which, since I've had two strokes is kind of awkward) should make shaving with the Kamisori a fairly natural motion for me.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hope you love yers as much as I do mine, if I ever gave up collecting razors and just became a "Shaver" this would be my first choice as a keeper...

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Great minds think alike G.
The 2 razors I've kept out of my collection are both Swedish steel. My Iwasaki Kamisori & an E.A. Berg.

@ planetocean . Congrats & enjoy !

So, onimaru55, tell me do you really have an affection for that particular master's creation. If indeed you speak so highly of it would you recommend it as well?

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Originally Posted by cflaageriv

So, onimaru55, tell me do you really have an affection for that particular master's creation. If indeed you speak so highly of it would you recommend it as well?

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I do & I would but as usual YMMV. Some people prefer western razors.

Oh yes, I totally agree, and for that matter the more variety of razors I experience, the more particular I become. Off the top of my head I would probably say conservatively half my razors I really care less for than some of the others. Of my lot, three (3) stick out in particular: My big 'ol Hart; my 5/8 Holzhauer and it's bigger brother, the 6/8 Holzhauer - all three of them shave me so close it brings back recollections of being a baby, when my skin was new and pristine. And, my Lord those shaves are so stinking smooth! What else is there to say? But, onimaru55, you have really peaked my interest...really can't wait to receive my Kamisori. You can bet I will review it right here!

Also, I forgot to mention, where did you [guys, plural if you may] find a Iwasaki Kamisori anyway? I have been having a devil of a time hunting one down.

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Originally Posted by cflaageriv

Also, I forgot to mention, where did you [guys, plural if you may] find a Iwasaki Kamisori anyway? I have been having a devil of a time hunting one down.

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I placed a link on this tread somewhere.

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Originally Posted by cflaageriv

Also, I forgot to mention, where did you [guys, plural if you may] find a Iwasaki Kamisori anyway? I have been having a devil of a time hunting one down.

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I got mine from japan-tool when So was still living in Sydney. There's a few sellers have them, SRD & aframestokyo.com jump to mind

Where did your ordered that beautiful razor?

Top!! Thats a real,real nice razor. Love it.

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Originally Posted by HoracioAR

Where did your ordered that beautiful razor?

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There is a link on this tread on one of the pages that I posted. Thanks

Perfect, thanks to you! congrats!