Thread: Master Inoue Tosuke razors

With all the threads about them, there has been a considerable increase in interest in Tosuke razors. I've been getting many PMs so here's some information.

Background:
There are razors actually made by Tosuke that have the blue Tosuke handles AND Tosuke's name on the blade. There are razors made by other sword smiths that have the blue Tosuke handles but they have the name of the other sword smith on the blade. In other words, they weren't actually made by Tosuke; they were made by someone else who just happens to be using his handles. The point is that not every razor with a blue Tosuke handle was actually made by Master Tosuke. They sell for the same price and are of comparable quality. However, you should know that they aren't the same. There are numerous threads in the Straight Razors forum here and on SRP if you want further detail. (For the sake of clarity, I'll refer to razors made by Tosuke as "Tosuke" razors and razors made by other sword smiths as "Tosuke-handled" razors.)

That being said, both the Tosuke and the Tosuke-handled razors are in short order. Most supplies have run dry. Most of the few razors remaining are not of great quality. Many of them were neglected, used, or damaged razors that are for sale only because there will be no replacement or replenishment of stock - until now...

Source:
I just gained a source for new Tosuke-handled razors. There is one shop in all of Japan that has started to make these razors. I know everyone has been saying: you can't get them anymore; they're no longer made; there's no interest for them in Japan. Hogwash! Since Tosuke passed away, these will obviously be made by someone else. I know this is just my opinion but I believe these newly-made razors are of better quality than the ones that were made in the past. They are flawless actually. They come in two different sizes: 165 mm long (50 mm blade) and 155 long (47 mm blade).

Availability:
Unfortunately, there will be a 2.5-month wait for new orders because the shop is processing one very large order. Please don't ask me to remind you about the razors 2 months from now. If you're still interested, it is up to you to send me a PM 2 months from now.

Pricing:
I have sold the older razors for $120 shipped, then $140 shipped, then $145 shipped, and finally, for $165 shipped. My prices changed as the Japanese shops increased their prices to meet the higher demand. These new razors are even more expensive. Even the wooden box for them is an extra $10 USD. The shorter razor will be for $180+ shipped and the longer razor for $205+ shipped. I know this is a lot. If you think I'm price gouging, by all means, send me a PM and I will be more than happy to explain how I reached my prices.

I managed to secure two of the larger razors. These are the 165 mm long, 50 mm blade razors. They're $200 shipped CONUS and $205 shipped worldwide. PM if interested.

EDIT: I have one left.

Yet another Tosuke is available. This is a real Tosuke-made razor. It's the most expensive and best model he sold even though it's only 145 mm long, with a 48 mm blade. There is some wear on the end of the handle but the blade is in mint shape. It'd be $215 shipped CONUS or $220 shipped worldwide.

EDIT: Just to clarify and uphold my Tosuke credibility... After getting a closer picture of the blade, I've realized I made a mistake. The razor was not made by Tosuke. It was made by Sanheji (someone from the same group of swords smiths). It is rarer than the more prevalent Tosukes and is of the same quality of Tosuke's highest model, if not better. However, it's still not a Tosuke though. Everything else remains true. My fault..

SOLD.

All razors have been sold.

I'll see you in two months!

Thanks, Telly, and I've PM'ed you. I think it's great to make some of these razors available at a good price and with such convenience!

Dan

New Info:
1. Small: 140 mm long overall; 45 mm long blade edge
2. Medium: 155 mm long overall; 47 mm long blade edge
3. Large: 165 mm long overall; 50 mm long blade edge

1. Available (7+ razors) - $160 shipped CONUS; add $5 for int'l shipping
2. Out of stock until May/June - $180 USD shipped CONUS; add $5 for int'l shipping
3. Out of stock until May/June - $205 USD shipped CONUS; add $5 for int'l shipping

Chris (C utz) brought it to my attention that the Feather cases I sell fit Tosuke razors. As you can see from the pictures, the razor will fit. However, be careful because depending on how you install the razor, the blade edge can touch the case. That can ruin your edge. Also, the razor I've installed is the small Tosuke. I don't know if the larger Tosukes will fit. If you still want one for your Tosuke, let me know.

Thanks for posting those! Now I don't think I have to.

Sheesh. I keep saying I'll do something then something ELSE distracts me.

I have similar pictures....maybe someday I'll post mine, but yours show the same jist of it......

C utz

All razors have been sold.

Some information...

Store #1: I purchased the small razors from this shop. They were selling NOS genuine Tosuke, Ichihara, Sanheji, and Togitsune razors. They have since sold out.

Store #2: I purchased the medium and large razors from this shop. They were initially selling NOS genuine Tosuke and Ichihara razors. They have sold out. This shop has started to make new razors and this is where I planned to purchase razors in May/June.

When Master Tosuke was ill in bed, he asked Master Ichihara to manufacture the razors which had Tosuke's stamps on the blades. Tosuke couldn't finish them before becoming sick and eventually dying. It means that the very last Tosuke razors were actually manufactured by Master Ichihara. There's no way to differentiate a Tosuke-made Tosuke and an Ichihara-made Tosuke but it's just a fascinating tidbit.

and some bad news.

The owner of shop #1 knows both Mr. Ichihara and the owner of shop #2. #1 introduced #2's son (around 30 years old) to Mr. Ichihara. The son should have learned the points of manufacturing razors from Ichihara but it will take some time till the son's skill reaches a high level.

All this means that the razors I have sold to this point were made by experienced, long-standing sword smiths. The razors for the group buy would be made by the inexperienced son. Looking at his current work, I would not recommend his razors. Unless I can find a random source for more NOS razors made by actual sword smiths, it looks like the group buy will not happen. Except for the random razor that can pop up here and there, these babies are gone. Sorry.