My kamisori makes my Western straights seem like shovels

[MilkyLee]

Another problem I have encountered is that each time I have bought a Kamisori the edge never arrives the way it left. What I mean by that is they were both honed prior to being shipped, by very competent honers, and when they arrived the edges were not very sharp. I think this happens because unless you have a nice custom made kamisori that holds the razor securely without touching the edge, the edge gets wrapped some how and most likely gets bumped around during postage. This wasn't a problem for me as I can hone my own razors, but it might be for some people. As always this could have just happened to me and no one else so don't take it as gospel.

[ladykate]

Another problem I have encountered is that each time I have bought a Kamisori the edge never arrives the way it left. What I mean by that is they were both honed prior to being shipped, by very competent honers, and when they arrived the edges were not very sharp. I think this happens because unless you have a nice custom made kamisori that holds the razor securely without touching the edge, the edge gets wrapped some how and most likely gets bumped around during postage. This wasn't a problem for me as I can hone my own razors, but it might be for some people. As always this could have just happened to me and no one else so don't take it as gospel.

Protecting the edge is essential. I don't expect one to arrive shave ready (nor do I expect straights to arrive that way most of the time). There is a pass-around going on and one of the members (Mike H) made a box for the Kami. It seems to be working. I think the razor is in Europe somewhere right now.

[Seraphim]

Even snake oil salesmen hacks make proper containers for their kamisorrys

[otto76]

Even snake oil salesmen hacks make proper containers for their kamisorrys

Nice! That actually looks like it took some doing.

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

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?

I bought a NOS Tosuke Gold Kinmoji kamisori and had it professionally honed. It honed up super sharp. It has the pronounced 'finger jointed' wavy line ( lack of better words) where the diff. metals are fused together..which I have heard is a sign of superior craftsmanship ? The only thing that gives me trouble is that I use both hands to shave with and this is awkward for me to keep the Omote side of the razor against my face...the Ura side just doesn't feel right against my face...

I

[ladykate]

Even snake oil salesmen hacks make proper containers for their kamisorrys

I had a guy ship one from Japan and all he did was tape the edge and put it in a box with very little packing. It arrived fine. Others have come in that looked like they had been dropped in a blender. Took a while to make them look purdy again.

[Seraphim]

I had a guy ship one from Japan and all he did was tape the edge and put it in a box with very little packing. It arrived fine. Others have come in that looked like they had been dropped in a blender. Took a while to make them look purdy again.

I didn't drop it in a blender, I was trying to fish a fork out of the garbage disposal with it...

[Kentos]

I bought a NOS Tosuke Gold Kinmoji kamisori and had it professionally honed. It honed up super sharp. It has the pronounced 'finger jointed' wavy line ( lack of better words) where the diff. metals are fused together..which I have heard is a sign of superior craftsmanship ? The only thing that gives me trouble is that I use both hands to shave with and this is awkward for me to keep the Omote side of the razor against my face...the Ura side just doesn't feel right against my face..

I

I use both sides, but many here only use one. Good luck!

[ladykate]

Even snake oil salesmen hacks make proper containers for their kamisorrys

edit: This is the same as the argument about laughing film. Just as the stone being used must cost more than the razor, the box being used must cost as much as the Kami else... No MO... Joe.

[Seraphim]

edit: This is the same as the argument about laughing film. Just as the stone being used must cost more than the razor, the box being used must cost as much as the Kami else... No MO... Joe.

That box IS worth more than the razor....

[Kentos]

Isn't the SHIPPING more than the razor?!

[ladykate]

That box IS worth more than the razor

The only thing that gives me trouble is that I use both hands to shave with and this is awkward for me to keep the Omote side of the razor against my face...the Ura side just doesn't feel right against my face...

There is a video on YouTube showing a guy using the razor correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxdi1tjsNo8. I don't look anywhere near that cool when I use it traditionally. It takes a while to get comfortable with using one hand and one side. However, just like using your non-dominant hand for regular straight shaving, you can figure it out. You can also just use it like you would a symmetrical straight - you just have to adjust the angle when using the ura against the face. That also feels weird until you do it a few times. Of course, while learning all this, you make slight mistakes and the Kami is known for being unforgiving. I looked pretty bad after my first off-side Kami shave.

[jamesj1578]

Variety is the spice of life.

+1

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

I use both sides, but many here only use one. Good luck!

If I use one hand and one blade side, I have to do so many different distorted face and hand contortions, I probably look spastic. I am going to give a more earnest effort to use both sides and both hands ( non-traditional Japanese, I know) But, I spent a lot of moola for that Kamisori. And it is probably the sharpest 'quasi' conventional straight razor I own...man that thing will hone up nicely. I love the Japanese style non-folding handles...just great for ATG on my neck...so I bought an SS Japanese style Feather Artist Club and it is just the bees knees with both hands.
A full hollow ground with a Japanese style handle sounds like it would be very interesting, but I have never seen one.
Thanks for the encouragement.

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

There is a video on YouTube showing a guy using the razor correctly. I don't look anywhere near that cool when I use it traditionally. It takes a while to get comfortable with using one hand and one side. However, just like using your non-dominant hand for regular straight shaving, you can figure it out. You can also just use it like you would a symmetrical straight - you just have to adjust the angle when using the ura against the face. That also feels weird until you do it a few times. Of course, while learning all this, you make slight mistakes and the Kami is known for being unforgiving. I looked pretty bad after my first off-side Kami shave.

Yep, I watched this video before forking out the bucks for that Kamisori. Fact of the matter is, I would have never made the cross over from DE razors had it not been for learning to use both hands to shave with. I am right handed and I am amazed at how quickly I was able to use my left hand with confidence. It was a fearful first stroke with that SS Feather Japanese Artist Club loaded with a ninja sharp Feather Pro Super blade in my left hand for the first time, wow!( I have nerves of steel ) I actually believe that I shave better with my left hand now...not a weeper yet with it......

[ladykate]

A full hollow ground with a Japanese style handle sounds like it would be very interesting, but I have never seen one.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Gold Dollars are the nuts for making your own 'Western Kamisori'. The smaller blade makes sharpening easy and it can easily be used with either hand.

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

Gold Dollars are the nuts for making your own 'Western Kamisori'. The smaller blade makes sharpening easy and it can easily be used with either hand.

I bet that is a nice shaver. Looks great to me.
Did you make it or buy it ?

[ladykate]

I bet that is a nice shaver. Looks great to me.
Did you make it or buy it ?

It is a great shaver. Used it a few days back and was quite pleased with it.

I've made a few of them. I was on a quest to make seven... did that and then a couple more. Finally got it out of my system. Now I'm on blade holders (Feather AC and clones).

You can make one fairly easily if you have a blade and a grinder. You don't have to be perfect to make it look good - just have to have a little patience. I used Gold Dollars and did a lot of the work on the bench grinder - then did some of the finer finishing stuff with the dremel and polisher. If you start with a good blade - say one with a broken tip, you only need a bench grinder and a bit of sand paper to clean the end. Then make the scales out of wood and epoxy them on. A couple of coats of Tung oil and you are done. The pins are just for show - they aren't needed.

[Prof. Moriarty]

Protecting the edge is essential. I don't expect one to arrive shave ready (nor do I expect straights to arrive that way most of the time). There is a pass-around going on and one of the members (Mike H) made a box for the Kami. It seems to be working. I think the razor is in Europe somewhere right now.

That lovely razor is currently with me in London

[FiveOhNine]

That lovely razor is currently with me in London

I heard it was used to shave Michael Phelps' legs.