I personally don’t own any Japanese Straight Razors, but I’m very interested in picking a few up.. Please enable me and others by posting a photo or two of your favorite Japanese razors and if you know any history about them.
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Post Your Japanese Razors
- Thread starter Luecke3262
- Start date
MilkCrate
"I am a Milk Crate with Dreams"
Back in 2018 I was starting to collect straights. I scored this lot of 7 from Japan. There were a couple of Omega, a Gold Rex, Ai Ai and Kikuokan that were all Japanese. There was also an Adresso and a Fili 14 made for the Japanese market too.
I bought this lot to get the Filarmonica and the Kikuokan. There was no mention of size on the listing when I bought them and I didn’t realize at the time that they were all 4/8. I honed a couple, but didn’t care for the 4/8 and foolishly sold all of them.
Now the only Japanese razor I have is a H Diamond.
I bought this lot to get the Filarmonica and the Kikuokan. There was no mention of size on the listing when I bought them and I didn’t realize at the time that they were all 4/8. I honed a couple, but didn’t care for the 4/8 and foolishly sold all of them.
Now the only Japanese razor I have is a H Diamond.
That is a Beautiful razor!
MilkCrate
"I am a Milk Crate with Dreams"
Thanks Brian!
Michael Phillip
Shave Member
Hi Matt, I am new to this forum stuff and the protocols around enablement, but I am pretty sure that with this post you forfeited any claims of innocence with respect to Japanese straight razors.
I am still learning about the history of Japanese razors, but this one seems to be unusual for a Japanese razor in that it is a heavy grind. For me the beauty is in the simplicity of the design.
This forum was established with a foundation of enablement, so you’re espousing our collective values. Well done and A+ for effort!
Beautiful razor! I do love heavier grinds!
b1hart
Jr. Shave Member
Here is a NOS Seiko kamisori razor I have. Apparently they made more than just watches. It is a traditional Japanese grind, one side is ‘ura‘ ground, meaning flat (nearly). The other side is ‘omote’, which is hollow ground like western grinds. I shave with it using both sides. True use is shaving with the ura side to the face, so it’s a bit of a challenge for the grip and angle change. It’s easier if it’s being used by a barber this way. It’s also a bit different in that kamisori razors normally don’t fold into scales. Usually they are just a blade with a wrapped handle. I have a few others I’ll post.
edit to add…
It is a heavier grind. Shaves like a wedge.
edit to add…
It is a heavier grind. Shaves like a wedge.
novicewetshaver
Sr. Shave Member
beautiful razors!!!
novicewetshaver
Sr. Shave Member
beautiful razor!!
novicewetshaver
Sr. Shave Member
would any of you know if there are any japanese makers of straight razor scales that do raden scaling? i have some fountain pens with this particular technique and would be intrested to see if they use it for japanese straight razors as well. not something i have looked into but this thread got me thinking about it. raden is basically mother of pearl or albalone with a really nice laquer finish to it. i'm not sure if its the same process as what the straight razor guys here in the states use like max sprecher.
Michael Phillip
Shave Member
I have been looking at Japanese razors for about a year now and in general they seem to be simple understated designs. In my experience these razors are all about the steel and the grind. The scales seem to be an afterthought. I have not any with fancy scales that were original.
b1hart
Jr. Shave Member
^^^this^^^
Much the same as I was searching. It's one of the reasons I used the 'buy it now' immediately when I saw the Seiko shown above. It was a fair price, not too crazy as some of the rarer Japanese choices can get (Hoshi Tombo, Iwasaki, R Saito, etc.).
There are a few places/individuals that will rescale/refurb razors. I (and others) have had nice success with a user on several forums going by the username gssixgun (he doesn't frequent this forum, hope it's ok to list him). Some dedicated razor shops can do this as well, but you may be limited to scales choice on hand. Glen (gssixgun) can get most anything...but then there's always the time of acquiring the material you'd want. Max Sprecher has some very nice work, not sure if he does custom work on anything other than his own designs though.
b1hart
Jr. Shave Member
Just more FYI or additional comments about Japanese razors, or rather the steel composition. They tend, in general and overall (in my experience, which is small compared to serious collectors) to require more attention/maintenance to keep them from getting surface corrosion or small 'bites' of surface blemishes. They are designed/meant to be used daily/several times a week/month. Blade hardness, edge retention longevity (time needed between honing) and ultimate 'sharp' is the main goal, as Michael P mentioned. So, even though a Japanese razor may contain stainless steel....it's going to require more time caring for it than say, a typical Solingen stainless steel, or English stainless steel. It's from the type/region/quality of steel used and then the hardness factor they opt for.
Japanese steel (that they forge or from a good maker) is much like Filarmonica steel. They get some brilliant shines to their surfaces no doubt, they typically retain edges longer, and result in some nice thin grinds. These qualities come at a bit of more surface care trade off in comparison. So, if you're buying to use them, they are fantastic, even in a monthly rotation. If you are buying for display, use once or twice a year, plan for maintenance like you would for collecting/displaying a nice Filarmonica, etc.
Happy Hunting!
Japanese steel (that they forge or from a good maker) is much like Filarmonica steel. They get some brilliant shines to their surfaces no doubt, they typically retain edges longer, and result in some nice thin grinds. These qualities come at a bit of more surface care trade off in comparison. So, if you're buying to use them, they are fantastic, even in a monthly rotation. If you are buying for display, use once or twice a year, plan for maintenance like you would for collecting/displaying a nice Filarmonica, etc.
Happy Hunting!
Fantastic comment! Thank you for the knowledge!
b1hart
Jr. Shave Member
Quite welcome! Happy to help.
