My kamisori makes my Western straights seem like shovels

**gash** · 07-30-2012, 03:08 AM

After using my kamisori, my Western straights seem clunky and dull, and I find myself not wanting to use them. Is this common? Will it pass, or should I just sell the Western ones?

**Doc226** · 07-30-2012, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by gash

After using my kamisori, my Western straights seem clunky and dull, and I find myself not wanting to use them. Is this common? Will it pass, or should I just sell the Western ones?

No need to feel, send them my way for proper disposal.

Kamis are a different razor for sure, I tried a few, did not like them at all.

**johnmrson** · 07-30-2012, 03:13 AM

Variety is the spice of life.

**Legion** · 07-30-2012, 03:51 AM

I like my kami's, and I thought they would make me quit my westerns. But they haven't. As John said above...

**Bk124tt** · 07-30-2012, 04:05 AM

Can anyone recommend a good intro razor (cheap/quality) (I know, oxymoron) for a kamisori?

**Doc226** · 07-30-2012, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Bk124tt

Can anyone recommend a good intro razor (cheap/quality) (I know, oxymoron) for a kamisori?

Kanayama.

**Drybonz** · 07-30-2012, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by gash

should I just sell the Western ones?

Depends... what have you got?

**mainaman** · 07-30-2012, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by gash

After using my kamisori, my Western straights seem clunky and dull, and I find myself not wanting to use them. Is this common? Will it pass, or should I just sell the Western ones?

Your westerns probably need a touch up then?
I have honed a ton of kamisoris and westerns and can't say kamisoris are so much better as war as sharpness of edge goes.

**mainaman** · 07-30-2012, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Bk124tt

Can anyone recommend a good intro razor (cheap/quality) (I know, oxymoron) for a kamisori?

There are a few brands most commonly sold around here, Henkotsu, Azuma, Tosuke, and more rarely and most expensively Iwasaki.
Any of those will work, IMO there is no such thing ass intro level kamisori.

**casus4844** · 07-30-2012, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by mainaman

There are a few brands most commonly sold around here, Henkotsu, Azuma, Tosuke, and more rarely and most expensively Iwasaki.
Any of those will work, IMO there is no such thing ass intro level kamisori.

Agreed , but they are fun as hell to use. Not to mention you don't have to worry about those fragile scales ;). I have a few of them, and they are sharp, but someone with good honing skills can make a western just as sharp. I'm waiting on two kamis to come in at the moment and I own 5 of them. Unless I'm lazy I usually reach for them also.

**ladykate** · 07-30-2012, 06:34 AM

Variety is the spice. I like them all. However, I really enjoy the smaller razors and have made several from GDs and broken eBay razors. A 'Western Kamisori' is great. I also have my fair share of real Kamis. Lately, I've been obsessed with Feather ACs and clones which also have that nimble attribute that makes a normal straight seem gargantuan.

As far as a Kami being sharper, they may not be - but I think some of it has to do with the acreage. A Kami is fairly short and easy to get sharp. A normal straight just has more to get right. I find it easier to hone/maintain the 'Western Kamisori' (symmetric grind Kamis made from GDs, etc) and they are the same metal as the longer version.

Don't sell your straights - they will get used.

**gash** · 07-30-2012, 09:00 AM

So, we're agreed I should give all of my shaving gear to Doc226?

**Doc226** · 07-30-2012, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by gash

So, we're agreed I should give all of my shaving gear to Doc226?

Yep, I am certified or is that certifiable. I can't remember.

**Kentos** · 07-30-2012, 01:57 PM

Lotta bad speling in this thred.

I think it's easier to hone up a kamisori to uber sharp compared to a longer full hollow.

Haven't used more than a couple of westerns since January myself

.

**Slash McCoy** · 07-30-2012, 02:41 PM

A shorty is definitely easier to hone to a scary sharp edge, no question about it. But a full western razor CAN be made just as sharp as any kamisori, IMHO. A true assymmetrical kami I have never honed, TBH, but it is just slightly more complicated than a western grind. YMMV to be sure.

You should keep your folders, certainly. Eventually you will want to revisit them. Plus they are your backups.

**otto76** · 07-30-2012, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Doc226

Yep, I am certified or is that certifiable. I can't remember.

Certified Certifiable?

**SliceOfLife** · 07-31-2012, 11:29 AM

I found holding a razor in my fist like I held a spoon when I was three made it almost impossible to shave. I also can't shave for crap with my left hand to give you an idea of my motor skill level. I'm sure I was holding it wrong, but that was how it felt most comfortable in my hand. My guess is I was supposed to pinch it between my thumb and two fingers, with the handle waving around... but then why the handle? Surely there's a less obtrusive way to balance it. Curse the Japanese and their sense of aesthetics. Good fish though.

**DeepOvertone** · 07-31-2012, 07:04 PM

Anyone in here fee like letting me try a Kami? I've been drooling over getting one but I don't know if I want to take the plunge before I know if I'll like it. Any takers? Also, do the need to be stropped? If so, is it the same technique?

**ladykate** · 07-31-2012, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by DeepOvertone

Anyone in here fee like letting me try a Kami? I've been drooling over getting one but I don't know if I want to take the plunge before I know if I'll like it. Any takers? Also, do the need to be stropped? If so, is it the same technique?

Hey, Deep!

Someone might want to step up but the problem with loaning out a Kami is that they are almost uniformly expensive when compared to a DE or basic straight. They can run quite high even for a junky one.

You strop them the same way as you do a symmetrically ground razor.

A good bet is to haunt the B/S/T or eBay and get one that doesn't have a lot of hone wear. If you don't like it, you can resell it here on B/S/T (after you get 50 posts) or on eBay for about what you paid for it. They seem to sell well. So... for only a temporary investment, you can try one out and if you like it, you can keep it.

If you get one that isn't prepped, I will hone it for you for the cost of postage.

**DeepOvertone** · 07-31-2012, 11:00 PM

I understand that it would be risky for anyone to send out such an expensive item to an unknown newbie. I would understand if someone wanted me to put money as a deposit for one or something. I don't like the prospect of "I can always sell it later if I don't like it". Also, there are some respected members here that could probably vouch for me as someone of my word. Anyway, I still understand that not everyone is as trusting these days as much as in the past. So, if anyone is willing to trust me, I would be eternally grateful!