Thread: Iwasaki Kamisori stropping

I was just wondering if there were any specific techniques to stropping an iwasaki kamisori. Also, is there anything in particular that i should avoid in the maintenance of the razor?

Stropping = Carefully

That's all I got for ya brother, if you are used to a western razor, just start slow and really hang onto the Kamisori as they feel very different, and can get away form you pretty fast....

I know some people strop at a 5/1- 7/1 ratio also but I have never done that, I guess that is a YMMV type thing...

actually, this is my first straight. the reading i've done on SRP has helped a lot, and i appreciate your reply. i'll probably try the 5/1 ratio. just to be clear, the heavier stropping should be done on the uro or omote?

This always gets confusing for me as I only speak Dojo Japanese

Bevel on the strop 5 laps ie: you can see the stamps

Also be very careful when starting out as it is very easy to cut a strop doing this rhythm, of course you might have an advantage as you haven't learned with a western style, so this might be much easier for you then I... This might be a time where it is better to be a newb...

Originally Posted by JasonR

just to be clear, the heavier stropping should be done on the uro or omote?

Hmmm, you don't really mean heavy do you ?
I strop even amounts both sides but hone more on the omote, yes with stamps visible . I'm not comfortable with stopping & lifting the razor to repeat the same direction but YMMV.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

This always gets confusing for me as I only speak Dojo Japanese

Or like my (Japanese speaking) sensei sometimes calls it: Japanese with a lot of hair on it

If you're talking plain old stropping I don't see a reason to strop any different than a western razor.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

This always gets confusing for me as I only speak Dojo Japanese

this statement TOTALLY ups your Badass status!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I have three kamisoris and i just strop them like a western blade.... And like Glen says, with a heaver hand than I would a western.. The reason why is the steel is ungodly hard. I takes a little to get the blade back to perfect straightness.

Even an ungodly hard edge that is less than 0.5 microns across is still easily affected. A heavier hand is a very relative term which some may misinterpret.
3-5 featherlight strokes on the finest stone could be more appropriate where too much pressure on hard steels will microchip edges & soft steels will fold... even on a strop. I tend to strop all razors lightly & leave any serious business to the stones which I also use with light touch. Again these are relative terms.