The Japanese style fixed blade straight razor: do any of you use it?

I've seen on the Internet, these Japanese-style non-folding straight razor. I was wondering if you shave with them using the same concept as a traditional folding straight razor. Does anyone here use one? Could you give me a folding vs fixed blade pro/con?

 

Don't care for the non folding straights because, they are ground and hone for one sided shaving, so both sides of your face would require you to use only one hand. Only one side of the razor is used.

 

Some say that a folding straight is easier to shave others while the Kamisori's are designed to shave yourself easier. The other annoyance is that you can bugger up a Kamisori easier when honing and stropping due to the asymmetrical blade. I've wanted to try one but a quality Kamisori (even used) is $250+ unless someone REALLY loves you and.

 

Yes I use them. In fact they are some that I would eat a whole lotta Ramen Noodles before I ever sold them...

You have to understand that they are different, they hone different and shave different the edge is so freaky sharp when honed correctly they are deadly when not used correctly..
If you are going to try them you want to start earlier in your SR journey because it is harder to change after you get used to western grinds..

The latest trend is to hone them in more non-traditional ways to even up the edge to make it easier to shave with both sides, one of those "If it works, then it is ok" situations.. Myself if I want to shave western style I will use a western grind razor not change a Kamisori YMMV

Just to be very clear IMHO it isn't pro/con it is just different ...

 

I've always wanted to try one but I just can't justify spending that kinda dough for something I may or may not like. To say nothing of the honing/stropping challenges involved. Tho, one of these days, I may try one of the disposable blade types to somewhat satisfy my curiosity.

 

I, too, have wanted to try one. But now that I know it has a different grind and requires the trade off between hands, I'm out - I'm right hand only when it comes to all my shaving. Oh, well. I am quite happy with the str8s I do have.

 

Doesn't that describe all straight razors?

 

Yes, which is one reason I don't shave with a straight. The Japanese style adds an extra layer of difficulty with the asymetric edge.

 

This makes me want one..

 

All I know is, the used 'em all over the place in The Seven Samurai, so they must be good!

 

Great now I'm ordering The Seven Samurai in 1080p and browsing Kamisoris. THANKS EVERYONE!

 

Ok so apparently Mantic got a Kiya Kamisori back from Lynn and it's been working out quite well - I know a number of people were shying away from them but I'm tempted to give one a whirl since MOST good places are out of stock except for one ridiculously overpriced ebay guy who wants $300 for one that has been honed unevenly (easy to see in his pics). Glen - I have a feeling an 8K edge even though it's good for western razors would be stupid for a new Kami, would a Sigma 13k be worth picking up to finish one of these up?

(Image of a Kiya courtesy Sharpologist/Google)​

 

You're welcome! You can not go wrong with Kurasawa!

 

Yeah the 8k level would be pretty low for these, the pressure needed to shave would be dangerous IMHO.. Honestly I start them using a Select Grade Coticule or at about the 8k level using synthetics. I have to emphasize that there are different ways to hone these now, people have moved from the Traditional to the "If it feels good do it" attitude.. I never drop below about the 8k level when honing these unless there are major issues...

This is how I learned it after a ton of research, looking at the blade/bevel itself tells you much more then I ever could explain...






I intentionally stay away from using any Japanese words in my description during honing as I had noted that using the words Omote and Ura seem to have caused much confusion for people over the years..

Again just look at the razor and the way it is made everything should become quite clear.. When I describe to people how to shave them I tell them to imagine a layer of water just under the lather and to simply try and ride that layer with the edge never pressing into the skin...

 

Perfect. Thanks Glen! Gives me an excellent reason to get a 12k+ stone. I can get great shaves off an 8k on a western but any opportunity to kick HAD in is welcomed.

Back to eyeballing aframestokyo even though they only have a 45mm Iwasaki in stock anymore. I might go with a Kanetaka instead....so many choices.

 

I've given up on the Kiya idea, yes it's relatively cheap but it's yellow steel. I found a place that has a FEW Iwasaki 45mm in stock, the only thing holding me back right now is the blade size - not sure if the 50mm is better for daily shaving. Kanetaka is available too in 50mm but I'm not sure how I feel about White II steel.

 

I have three traditional kamisori and found them easy to use using both sides. Two were honed by Glen the traditional way, both are large ones, size 2 and one larger. The small one was honed by a honemeister who uses the 1 to 1 honing as with western style straights. Once I went back to western style straights and tried to pick up the tradional kamisori, I was at a loss. I just couldn't shave. Now I'm thinking of selling them. None were near the $250 price. You can get some good deals on BST and Hobbyist/Vendor on various forums like badgerandblade if you keep your eye out.

 

Since your thinking of selling one, will you hollar at me when you decide on a price?

 

My offer from one of the other threads still stands, if you are thinking of getting a straight razor and you are looking for an opinion, simply PM me the link, I will be more than happy to take a look..

 

Right now I'm torn between a NOS Tosuke that I found, a 45mm Iwasaki or a couple from eBay that are vintage and don't seem to have a lot of hone wear, I'll try to find the pair again and PM you. Thanks Glen, you're always a fountain of helpful knowledge!