Thread: newbie thoughts on japanese razor

well lets see, i started to pick up wet shaving about a year ago but could never quite get past the left and right side of the face so gave it up till just recently, i finely had to re-up me supply of tabac and ended up picking up a jap straight among other things and have been using it for about a week now and here is what i have noticed

stropping: stropping has been fast and smooth, turning the razor with the thumb flipping the razor on the spine has been easy

shaving: i have been able to do full wtg passes fairly easy (have not tried xtg or atg, giving skin a bit of time to adjust first), no nicks only minor bleeding from pores on first day under jaw and on chin in few spots, the rest have been irritation free, i have only used the hollow side away from the face and other than the extreme left side of my face it isn't to bad to keep it that way and find that the angle is simple to get by putting razor flat on face and then pulling it back slightly, also altho both ends of the blade are square i find that the shortness of the blade makes them easy to keep track of and have not been caught by the toe or heel yet.

post shave rust prevention: after i finish i have been useing mil-comm mc2500 oil (use it for my hk45 and ar-15) by dipping the end of the dried razor handle in the bottle and spreading the drop around with my fingers then wiping the excess off with a piece of tissue paper, because it is one solid pice of steel and iron there are no hard to reach areas to worry about staying wet and rusting

-zak

I am assuming you mean a Kamisori from what yer saying, I have found that I am using mine more and more whenever i get to shave with my own razors

Also don't know if you saw this and not sure where in WA you are but consider yourself invited to the next one

2nd Annual - Pacific & Inland NW / Western Canada - Meet Up

ya, an iwasaki kamisori, im a ferry ride from seattle

You might find this very insightful, or you may have already watched it. If not it shows some very good technique using the Kamisori.
Iwasaki Kamisori Shave
Regards, Howard

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

You might find this very insightful, or you may have already watched it. If not it shows some very good technique using the Kamisori.
Iwasaki Kamisori Shave
Regards, Howard

Thanks for posting this link. I find it very tempting to try one of these sometime.
Still getting the hang of a traditional/western straight razor.

Zak,
Good for you. i am still trying to get comfortable with my Tosuke Kamisori.