Thread: Japanese Straights

Even though I have none, I'd like to see a bunch in one place. Iwasakis, Tosukes, no names, etc.

Anyone...?

No one? I know someone owns some.

i have one coming in the mail
will post pics.
Vintage Japanese Hand Forged Razor SIGNED KAMATAKA HARU - (eBay.ca item 290285795281 end time 05-Jan-09 00:47:06 EST)

i'm also interested in seeing some japanese trad razors

5th January & it's still not with you! That must be driving you nuts! Nice looking razor. I've had a few bids on them a while back, but my interest seems to have waned slightly of late. Thankfully! Razor's keep appearing & i've got to offload some soon at they rate they arrive!

it can't drive nuts only nuttier

i'm waiting for the mailman every morning with impatience

Ok, I guess I'll post...

I'd like to have one... but a Tosuke or Iwasaki is just too much for my wallet right now... Oh, well... But I too would like to see some around here. And perhaps know how they perform...
Is a japanese razor very different from a western style one? I know the grinding is diffeent, but how do they perform? Do you strop them the same way as a western razor? Thanks!

I have the same concerns as fpessanha..... My biggest concern would be with honing a Japanese straight. Both sides aren't the same!! What's the deal with that?? Just joking, but I wouldn't know how to deal with it.

Well thank you JimR for having a photo posted in this thread! Actually Boris too, for that link at least lol. As for honing them, there are some threads floating around. I think one may be in the honing section currently. That or just search for an older thread on japanese honing maybe. They are there. I can't say how they perform, but they are different than a 'western' straight. You only ever use one side of the razor to shave with (i.e. next to your skin), so you need to practice how to reach certain areas with an awkward grip I believe. I too would like to see more pics.

Well Alex, i still have not received the razor yet.

can't find much on Japanese razor honing
but the geometry of these razors is the same as Japanese traditional kitchen knife
it is easier to find sharpening for kitchen knives

Dave Martel made a 2 CD sharpening video
Japanese Knife Sharpening