Thread: Kamisori Shaving Video (First Try)

Jim do you prefer shaving with size 1 or size 2? The latter from my understanding is for heavy set beards right? But from vantage point I can see that with size 2, it'll allow for additional 10mm cut versus the size 1? Please correct me. I'm going off on sizes for Iwasaki.

Thanks

Originally Posted by kevint

hmm. I'm not sure why that would be. if I understand a longer blade, you say, makes short stroking more difficult.


In a 'round about way I'm asking why do you make short strokes. I wondered if it was wakami_ exclusive.

I reckon I do some too, but I think I'd rather not, preferring a long clean stroke.
But maybe you have a better reason for using it?

I use short strokes on my size 1 and my westerns as well.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

Jim, thanks so much for the video!

I can't believe no one else has posted a Kamisori video before now

Maybe once I finish barber school I will get one, and shave people with it, but I need to be able to afford a hone to sharpen it with before that :P

Darn it! Too much stuff to buy

I don't know about the laws there but here it's illegal to do so. Unless you shave the client with their own straight is the exception. I went to two different barbershops and both use "injectors" disposeable blades from razors ie feather-like razors.

Sadly, the school I'll be going to in near future won't be teaching how to hone I'm sure of it. Not that that matters I've Lynn's video

The test at state board consist of shaving, hair cutting ( 34pts of your test ), sanitizing is huge chunk of your grade. My buddy ( barber ) told me there are those who can't cut hair worth a **** and still pass.

I wish you the best Rob! Go to IRC chat sometime.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I have to say you have definately peaked my interest in a Kamisori razor. Thanks for the video!!

JimR, KevinT, Lynn and OLD_SCHOOL are guys to talk to.

These are just few of the threads I bookmarked in regards to Japanese razors:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...n-lengthy.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...zor-works.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ght-razor.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-now-what.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-straight.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-profiles.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...art-names.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ese-razor.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...se-razors.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...7-iwasaki.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...se-razors.html

A Honing Lesson from my barber - Straight Razor Place Forums

Sharpening Wakamisori - Straight Razor Place Forums

JimR's video on Japanese razor honing

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ones-info.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ese-hones.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...-maruichi.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...le-worker.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...ing-hones.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...-nakayama.html

Wow Jim, this razor has a nice sound to it.
I always have been a fan of japanese cutlery and steel
but never actually thought about kamisori.
I just love the feel of a good Aogami or Shirogami on my hones,
when honing a kitchen knive to HHT smootheness (really, I do!)
The only thing that keept me from trying it was
that I always have to adjust the handle of a razor to my holding technique
and a kamisori would require me to adjust my technique to the razor.
I don´t know if I would encounter problems. I will make a test
and fix a western razor to Kamisori-position and see what happens

Thank you for this great and very enjoyable video

SiRed8:

Thanks for the links, I'll have to check them out. I have the Japanese waterstones (actually a few grand worth & actually built a polishing table just for it)...used to do some buying, polishing/restoring, & reselling of Japanese samurai blades. No time for it now due to the dang ole' JOB. I'm a noob w/ a SR, but have become passionate about it. Actually got in a new Henkels (for me) Ebay SR yesterday and will try my hand at restoring the edge...it's got a wavy edge & will have to remove some extra edge material to get it right. Stones are soaking now. I've still got a tough time comparing Japanese grits w/ American grits to keep up with all of the honemeister's comments. I just try to keep in mind that the Japanese grits are almost twice as fine as American grits. Does anyone know how the Japanese SR is tempered? Water?

Thank you Jim for helping to many kamisori owners to become kamisori users !.

I found myself short stroking with my swedish Iwasaki last night.

With one of my favorite big-toe Sheffields that is seldom the case anymore as they will leave very, very little stub behind. So I make a much more continious stroke.

Not so with the wakami_ I just cannot get it sharp enough.
I guess it is instinctive to me as well to chop, chop along; to which i might point to the feedback. It's just not the feedback of a clean shave; which then feeds the instinct to re-do. So I end up going over, going over, going over, working my way to get what should have been cut the first time; imho.

It could be an angle thing which causes to much left behind, but I really do not believe that to be the major aspect.
what do you guys think?

Originally Posted by SiRed8

I don't know about the laws there but here it's illegal to do so. Unless you shave the client with their own straight is the exception. I went to two different barbershops and both use "injectors" disposeable blades from razors ie feather-like razors.

Sadly, the school I'll be going to in near future won't be teaching how to hone I'm sure of it. Not that that matters I've Lynn's video

The test at state board consist of shaving, hair cutting ( 34pts of your test ), sanitizing is huge chunk of your grade. My buddy ( barber ) told me there are those who can't cut hair worth a **** and still pass.

I wish you the best Rob! Go to IRC chat sometime.

Here in PA, it IS legal for barbers to shave patrons with REAL straights

I get in IRC chat once in a while. Was out tonight, but tomorrow I should be on there (Thurs.)

I doubt my school will teach honing. At minimum, I would say MAYBE they'll teach me stropping, but I won't hold me breath.

Originally Posted by kevint

I found myself short stroking with my swedish Iwasaki last night.

With one of my favorite big-toe Sheffields that is seldom the case anymore as they will leave very, very little stub behind. So I make a much more continious stroke.

Not so with the wakami_ I just cannot get it sharp enough.
I guess it is instinctive to me as well to chop, chop along; to which i might point to the feedback. It's just not the feedback of a clean shave; which then feeds the instinct to re-do. So I end up going over, going over, going over, working my way to get what should have been cut the first time; imho.

It could be an angle thing which causes to much left behind, but I really do not believe that to be the major aspect.
what do you guys think?

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, Kevin, but my kamisori leave very little stubble, and the short, controlled strokes are the way I shave. If I am doing it wrong, forgive me.

And my razors are sharp. Sorry yours isn't.

Kevin, I just acquired an iwasaki from JimR and after a good stropping it easily passes HHT. Its the #1 version with a smaller blade than I am used to (normally prefer minimum 6/8 for western straights), however also I find that I use fairly small strokes with this type of razor, and I tend to go over the same area once or twice as I go.

The first time I used it, I couldnt believe the quality of shave I got (feedback is VERY different to normal western straights - I didnt think I was actually cutting hairs at first), and due to the smaller blade I was able to get all the weird-growing-directionally-challenged hairs under my jawline that western straights, regardless of size, just cant seem to completely remove.

I will also say, from my limited experience, angle is very very important, and you will have to mess around with it a bit to work out the best angle (took me a fair while to work that bit out).

If its not sharp enough for you, maybe send it off for a honing.

Thanks for the video Jim.
Very clear, good relaxed pace - made it look (almost) easy!

... and I thought it was a challenge learning to use the western straight razor!

+1 on Holi4pirating - I was also hoping to see you looking more like your avatar (but that's ok I still enjoyed the video).

All the best,
Michael.