Originally Posted by
Steelforge
Ok having watched this video again, I have a few questions.
Obviously the Japanese razor is one sided, and was designed to be used with just one side against the skin. How big an issue is this when shaving yourself? With a Western straight, if you can shave with both hands, it looks a lot easier.
Yes, it was designed that way, and it is used that way by barbers. Do you HAVE to do it that way? Of course not, there's no Kamisori police. According to the barbers I've talked to (and, frankly, common sense) the design of the blade makes it more likely that the edge will dig in if you shave with the wrong side, but that just means you have to be more careful.
No doubt, it takes some getting used to...you saw the contortions in the video. But it certainly can be done, and the shaves don't suffer.
Can you really get a good shaving routine where you dont have to compromise on the direction of certain strokes? Does it feel weird to shave some parts of the face WTG and other parts XTG or ATG as a WTG stroke is not possible without being double jointed?
I get great shaves from my kamisori. Really, though, it might be me, I get away with 1 or 2 with a good edge on my Western straights, as well, and that's with no WTG at all.
I bought a Tosuke about 2 years ago but ended up selling it within a month as I couldn't find enough information about honing and shaving technique. I'm very tempted to try again now though, as it's not so much of a dark art these days. I love the simplicity of the Japanese razor, with its no frills layout, and nothing to go wrong or fall off (like pivot pins, end pins, wedges, scaes etc.).
I'm going to watch the video again now, and will take notes! :D