mine was honed to be used on both sides..im workng on mine to be used the same way...like a western razor.
Kamisori questions
- Thread starter Slash McCoy
- Start date
I cut my earlobe, does that count?
This about sums it up for me as well, but again, it's your razor, shave with it however you wish. I replied on Jim's blog regarding my set of unique circumstances, if I can do it anyone can.
I have to stop reading the kamisori threads, too. Something about my spendy natures tells me this is a bad sign....
Does anyone know of any hybrids available, razors which have the kamisori-style handle with the western-style blade (symetrical grind)? I'm very new to straight razor shaving (twice so far) but as a newbie this combination just seems like the obvious, best-of-both-worlds way to design a straight razor if one is willing to forego tradition in favor of a better shaving experience.
They can be made by cutting down a western razor and sticking a straight fixed handle on it, or you can commission a custom maker to forge you one. I have one and I like it. Although I still like the asymmetrical grind better.
As Kentos said, they can be made. I'm working on having a few made since I prefer symmetrical grinds. Shaving with a kamisori is neat, like shaving with two different razors. There's no need to use one side only like a couple people suggest, and the "tradition" claim is weak, given that barbers are known to use both sides, and there's been no manual in Japanese put forward, much less one that prescribes omote-only for self-shaving. Go ahead and do an ura-only shave...the ghosts of past kamisori makers won't care.
But yeah, getting a nice symmetrical razor allows you to avoid judgment when among the unqualified non-Japanese shaving community online.
Here is a link to the perfect solution if you are right or left handed...a kamisori with an Omote grind on each side of the blade (a double bevel). I bought one and it allows me to shave the right side of my face without being a contortionist (I'm left handed). Also, I can still maintain the tradition of shaving with the Omote against my face.
http://yhst-27988581933240.stores.y...e-bevel-edges-watetsukikusui-blade-raz52.html
http://yhst-27988581933240.stores.y...e-bevel-edges-watetsukikusui-blade-raz52.html
Both hands, both sides for me.
I use kamisori traditionally and as intended but it's your Kamisori, use it as you wish. When told by people I hone for that they use both sides I adjust my ratios accordingly. Traditional ratios can yield harsh results in certain areas on the face.
I am curious why only certain areas may suffer from harsh results?
The more sensitive parts.
Thanks to all the replies.
Any Japanese sources other than anonymous Japanese barbers indicated by a few non-Japanese folks? Perhaps a barber's manual in Japanese? Are there any written descriptions of tradition regarding self-shaving? Anything to contradict videos of barbers where both sides are used? People like the word tradition, but I am not seeing much evidence of a tradition except according to anonymous second-hand sources.
This debate on kamisori use has led many a thread down the tubes. Let's keep things gentlemanly please 
In an attempt to not overstate the obvious I'll pass on an explanation. I have more important things to do anyway.
https://sites.google.com/site/trans...NihonkamisoriMayUpdate.zip?attredirects=0&d=1
Here's a manual for honing from Kousuke Iwasaki's book. Maybe this will help settle any questions people may have.
Section 7- How To Use a Western Razor
In the instructions included with a German "Henckels" razor, it says that when shaving, "hold the
razor almost flat against the face." Something very similar is printed on the front of English
"Haddon" razor boxes.
And in our country, we are taught to hold the razor at a 45 degree angle when shaving. This 45
degree angle, whether it's in relation to the skin or to the hair, is a standing position. In other
countries, the razor is used lying flat.
Since long ago, Kamisori have been used lying flat.
If you try using a razor at a standing angle, the edge will very quickly start to show signs of
damage, and an edge that should shave 200 faces or more will only shave around ten. So if you
think you'd like to preserve your edges as long as possible, keep the blade as flat as you can when
you shave.
Of course, if you haven't put a good edge on the razor, when you lay it flat it won't shave at all, and
you will have to raise the angle. But shaving with an edge like that is a mistake.
Shave any way you want. I like the extra challenge of doing it another way, especially around the lips and under the nose. One of the reasons why I like using a Kami over a western for certain parts.
Here's a manual for honing from Kousuke Iwasaki's book. Maybe this will help settle any questions people may have.
Section 7- How To Use a Western Razor
In the instructions included with a German "Henckels" razor, it says that when shaving, "hold the
razor almost flat against the face." Something very similar is printed on the front of English
"Haddon" razor boxes.
And in our country, we are taught to hold the razor at a 45 degree angle when shaving. This 45
degree angle, whether it's in relation to the skin or to the hair, is a standing position. In other
countries, the razor is used lying flat.
Since long ago, Kamisori have been used lying flat.
If you try using a razor at a standing angle, the edge will very quickly start to show signs of
damage, and an edge that should shave 200 faces or more will only shave around ten. So if you
think you'd like to preserve your edges as long as possible, keep the blade as flat as you can when
you shave.
Of course, if you haven't put a good edge on the razor, when you lay it flat it won't shave at all, and
you will have to raise the angle. But shaving with an edge like that is a mistake.
Shave any way you want. I like the extra challenge of doing it another way, especially around the lips and under the nose. One of the reasons why I like using a Kami over a western for certain parts.
I don't think anyone was really asking about the angle, though it's incidentally useful for some probably.
Its the whole point in using Kamisoris the traditional way!! The angle!
Taken from the previous page:
"Kamisori are used with one specific side against the face at all times. That side is the unstamped "Omote." The stamped side, which has a much more pronounced concave, is the "ura" and it is to be used away from the face.The use of Kamisori is a tradition. It is the way it is. [...] If the use was, as you would like, symmetrical, then the blade would be symmetrical.
Adding to the fact of what I pasted even Iwasaki says "If you try using a razor at a standing angle, the edge will very quickly start to show signs of
damage, and an edge that should shave 200 faces or more will only shave around ten. So if you
think you'd like to preserve your edges as long as possible, keep the blade as flat as you can when
you shave."
Hence not using the other side just sticking to one side will make the edge last longer. So shaving the traditional way with a Kamisori is meant to make a Kamisori edge last longer.
Taken from the previous page:"Kamisori are used with one specific side against the face at all times. That side is the unstamped "Omote." The stamped side, which has a much more pronounced concave, is the "ura" and it is to be used away from the face.The use of Kamisori is a tradition. It is the way it is. [...] If the use was, as you would like, symmetrical, then the blade would be symmetrical.
Adding to the fact of what I pasted even Iwasaki says "If you try using a razor at a standing angle, the edge will very quickly start to show signs of
damage, and an edge that should shave 200 faces or more will only shave around ten. So if you
think you'd like to preserve your edges as long as possible, keep the blade as flat as you can when
you shave."
Hence not using the other side just sticking to one side will make the edge last longer. So shaving the traditional way with a Kamisori is meant to make a Kamisori edge last longer.
I shave lying down too!
Similar threads
