Post Your Pictures: Japanese Razors

[TstebinsB]

Gents,

This is a very tempting thread.

I am a big fan of Japanese knives.
And as until now, I did not know of these 'kamisori' type of razors (I hope I picked the right word / term out of your excellent posts).

Could some one tell me a bit more about these razors?
They seem much more interesting and inviting to me than straights.

Where does one buy these?
What to look for?

Any info appreciated!

Based on what I've learned over the years, these razors (or something similar) were original to China and were brought over to Japan thousands of years ago. I'm not sure of what the Chinese style looked like but the Japanese style predates the Western style. Initially used by monks on each other, they were then used by barbers on clients, and finally, people used them on themselves. They're not used much at all in Japan nowadays.

Traditionally, kamisoris are different from Western razors in how you hone them and how you use them. They're used with one specific side against the face at all times. The side with stamps is called the ura. The side without stamps is called the omote. You're supposed to shave with the omote against your face - never with the ura against your face. When these razors were used by barbers on clients, that was easy to follow. When you're shaving yourself, it's much harder but still doable. When you hone a Western razor, you hone in a 1:1 ratio. Each side gets the same amount of passes as the other. The kamisori method is to hone the omote more than the ura. Instead of going by feel, most people use an unbalanced ratio of something like 10:3 or 10:1, omote to ura. Some people go 30:1 or don't even hone the ura side at all.

I follow the traditional honing method so I can preserve the asymmetrical shape of the blade. However, I use both sides of the razor. Forcing myself to use just the omote is unnecessarily more work than I'm willing to do for a shave. Of course, you can do whatever you want. Ultimately, the goal for most people is just a great shave and if honed and used properly, you will certainly get that.

[gunmonkey]

The wife's father sent me this one when he heard i was looking for some vintage razors . 1960's Tanifuji that was his father's... 50 yeas old and just a little rust near the pivot, it shaves like a dream and holds an edge for a long time.

[duderdo]

Just had a masterful shave with my Toyo Schoen Burg... I always do. I think it has some kind of magical power.

[heirkb]

Here's all of mine

Top left going clockwise:

"72 E" japanese folding razor
Diamond Hayashi Frameback
Suzumasa "Solgen"
Toyo Schoen Burg
"T'Hana Tombow'H" full hollow

Are at least some of those from me? The only Hayashi frameback I know of is the one I sold. I love these Japanese razors, but I can't ever seem to hold on to one for very long. I think I've sold at least 5 or 6 of them and that even includes my grail of Japanese razors, which was the smiling Kikuboshi razor. Let's see...Hayashi Diamond covered tang, Hayashi frameback, Hana Tombow, Henkotsu kamisori, Scheon Burg 776, Suzumasa Solgen, and Kikuboshi smiling. That makes 7...

[Harvitz81]

Are at least some of those from me? The only Hayashi frameback I know of is the one I sold. I love these Japanese razors, but I can't ever seem to hold on to one for very long. I think I've sold at least 5 or 6 of them and that even includes my grail of Japanese razors, which was the smiling Kikuboshi razor. Let's see...Hayashi Diamond covered tang, Hayashi frameback, Hana Tombow, Henkotsu kamisori, Scheon Burg 776, Suzumasa Solgen, and Kikuboshi smiling. That makes 7...

Glad I could be of service taking your grail away

[duderdo]

Are at least some of those from me? The only Hayashi frameback I know of is the one I sold. I love these Japanese razors, but I can't ever seem to hold on to one for very long. I think I've sold at least 5 or 6 of them and that even includes my grail of Japanese razors, which was the smiling Kikuboshi razor. Let's see...Hayashi Diamond covered tang, Hayashi frameback, Hana Tombow, Henkotsu kamisori, Scheon Burg 776, Suzumasa Solgen, and Kikuboshi smiling. That makes 7...

Yep! The Hayashi frameback was from you off of SRP I believe.

I thought I had enough of them, but I am starting to feel pangs of regret over holding back on certain Ebay bids...

[wimbouman]

Based on what I've learned over the years, these razors (or something similar) were original to China and were brought over to Japan thousands of years ago. I'm not sure of what the Chinese style looked like but the Japanese style predates the Western style. Initially used by monks on each other, they were then used by barbers on clients, and finally, people used them on themselves. They're not used much at all in Japan nowadays.

Traditionally, kamisoris are different from Western razors in how you hone them and how you use them. They're used with one specific side against the face at all times. The side with stamps is called the ura. The side without stamps is called the omote. You're supposed to shave with the omote against your face - never with the ura against your face. When these razors were used by barbers on clients, that was easy to follow. When you're shaving yourself, it's much harder but still doable. When you hone a Western razor, you hone in a 1:1 ratio. Each side gets the same amount of passes as the other. The kamisori method is to hone the omote more than the ura. Instead of going by feel, most people use an unbalanced ratio of something like 10:3 or 10:1, omote to ura. Some people go 30:1 or don't even hone the ura side at all.

I follow the traditional honing method so I can preserve the asymmetrical shape of the blade. However, I use both sides of the razor. Forcing myself to use just the omote is unnecessarily more work than I'm willing to do for a shave. Of course, you can do whatever you want. Ultimately, the goal for most people is just a great shave and if honed and used properly, you will certainly get that.

Thanks!
Should try these razors myself one day, I think they are intriguing.

[TstebinsB]

The wife's father sent me this one when he heard i was looking for some vintage razors . 1960's Tanifuji that was his father's... 50 yeas old and just a little rust near the pivot, it shaves like a dream and holds an edge for a long time.

I sold a few Cape razors recently. I knew they were made by either Nichiri or Tanifuji but I wasn't sure. I guess this clears it up. They're exceptional razors either way.

[mainaman]

The first two I no longer have but they are worth posting:
Hoshi Tombo 8000, #80 Rosette. King heart Clumbia

[azmark]

The first two I no longer have but they are worth posting:
Hoshi Tombo 8000, #80 Rosette. King heart Clumbia

I love the Hoshi Tombo. Great razor but looks even better and feels perfect in your hands.

[gunmonkey]

The wife's father sent me this one when he heard i was looking for some vintage razors . 1960's Tanifuji that was his father's... 50 yeas old and just a little rust near the pivot, it shaves like a dream and holds an edge for a long time.

Since I posted this I have sold all but one of the other razors I had because this one is by far the best razor I have ever used I just wish I could find 1 or 2 more of them so I don't wear this one out because it is the only one I use. The only reason I kept the other one is due to sentimental reasons since it was my grandfather's

[life2short1971]

Are you specifically wanting Tanifuji? I think Aframes has one or two.

[mainaman]

First Tanifuji
This is a very respected brand in Japan, Iwasaki used to send his famous western Straights to Tanifuji Factory for scales and finishing the blades. The blade is the typical I think for Japan 13/16" hollow ground.

Second I was able to put my dirty little hands on a Daishi Tamahagane
The steel was made by Yasuki which is one of the two I believe main steel manufacturers in Japan. The razor is again 13/16 , ~ 1/4 hollow.

[dakotaev]

I can finally join the Japanese razor club :)

Arrived today compliments of Telly.

[Harvitz81]

Machida Tadashi Kamisori

Probably the best razor I own.

[danjared]

Probably the best razor I own.

You say this about enough razors that I'm starting not to believe you.

[Manthrax]

I need to get my hands on one of those beautiful asian ladies...

[flight567]

I only got one. I have to admit, I must be a minority, I don't like the frameback razors and I'm not a huge fan of this one. It's a very nice razor and Telly facilitated the transaction (thanks again). I used it a few times but I'm still debating if I shouldn't leave it on a shelf for a few weeks and try again or just sell it.

I like the look but I think I have something for French, British and German razors...

hey, i'm sure this really isn't the place to ask, but would any of you happen to know if the darker steel on the blade half of this razor is a different steel (knowing japanese style cutlery there is a good chance it is a laminated blade.)? i've notice laminated blades on a couple of these razors, mainly the ttraditional ones though. man... wish that a 16 yr old could afford one of those traditional j-razors.... beautiful work... would you happen to know if the ones with handles are "full tang" if you will? it really wouldn't make a difference, but i'm very into blade smithing, especialy of the eastern sort and it's very interesting. thank you!

[Blix]

6/8 Iwate Hirade


By blix72 at 2011-07-19

[Harvitz81]

You say this about enough razors that I'm starting not to believe you.

Yeah, I probably tend to say that about too many razors. But this and my Henkotsu I recently picked up probably are my best 2 razors. Maybe it is just that they are kamisori's and shave differently, but they give completely effortless shaves.