Bought Tosuke razor on Ebay, but is it real?

[JeffE]

I bought a Tosuke razor just now that was being shown on ebay, and then, of course, when I started to read some of the comments about this razor on this forum, I saw someone mention that some of these razors may be FAKEs?!

Anyway, I don't want to get ripped off, so I am posting the picture of the blade here. Is there anyone who can tell me if this razor looks like a real one or not? Unfortunately, I hit "buy" before doing the correct amount of research, so I appreciate any insight you may have here.

 

[SpyvSpy]

No idea, but if the deal seemed to good to be true then it's possibly a fake.

 

[JeffE]

I don't think it was "too good to be true" as the price for the razor was $199, which I think is in line with the price I've seen others mention. The seller looks pretty reputable too -- lots and lots of Japanese knives, lots of transactions and high approval rating.

Anyway, here's some more views of what I've purchased, in case anyone knows what to look for. Thanks!

 

[Bayamontate]

If its a copy, its a damn good one.

 

[Seraphim]

I don't know what you mean by "fake"?

It may not have been made by Tosuke himself, but that sure looks alot like the Tosuke I purchased myself when I was in Japan.

 

[Bayamontate]

That is a great price. I paid that much for a Kamisori back in the day. Too bad it was stolen out of my checked bag while on tour. Let us know how it shaves.

 

[JeffE]

Sorry, I used the wrong wording in my original post. I don't mean that the blade may be "fake"; I just meant that the blade may not be made by Tosuke but apparently the razor has a "Tosuke" handle.

On a separate note, I'm not sure I see the sense of having legitimate blades by other craftsmen with a handle that says "Tosuke" on it. Of course I don't know any Japanese, so it may be perfectly clear to someone who can read the writing on the blade, but to me, it is a perfect mystery. And I think if I were making these blades for years and years, I'd want the handle to say "Jeff" rather than "Tosuke" anyway, but probably I'm missing something here.

 

[Seraphim]

Sorry, I used the wrong wording in my original post. I don't mean that the blade may be "fake"; I just meant that the blade may not be made by Tosuke but apparently the razor has a "Tosuke" handle.

On a separate note, I'm not sure I see the sense of having legitimate blades by other craftsmen with a handle that says "Tosuke" on it. Of course I don't know any Japanese, so it may be perfectly clear to someone who can read the writing on the blade, but to me, it is a perfect mystery. And I think if I were making these blades for years and years, I'd want the handle to say "Jeff" rather than "Tosuke" anyway, but probably I'm missing something here.

Tosuke was in ill health, and I believe may have already passed away. Most likely that razor was made by someone in his shop, under his guidance. Either way, I'm sure it will shave your face just fine!

 

[Thebigspendur]

Tosuke died over a year ago and the stock of his razors which wasn't all that high disappeared pretty fast. The handles were sold separately so if its new manufacture it's made by someone else. if its old it may be made by him. Either way if it shaves good it's a quality piece no matter who made it.

 

[TstebinsB]

It's not a Tosuke razor - it just has the handle. That razor is new production.

 

[JeffE]

Does this one appear to be of a quality similar to a "real" Tosuke? It is going to cost $200, which would buy a very, very nice razor just about anywhere, so if it doesn't look like it's worth the money, I will pass and wait for something better (maybe someone with one to sell on this forum?). Thanks.

 

[Thebigspendur]

You would have to know who made it. Is it one of Tosuke's Apprentices? There aren't really too many people making these things in Japan. I would guess its OK but whether it worth the price you won't know until you get it and use it.

 

[Seraphim]

Does this one appear to be of a quality similar to a "real" Tosuke? It is going to cost $200, which would buy a very, very nice razor just about anywhere, so if it doesn't look like it's worth the money, I will pass and wait for something better (maybe someone with one to sell on this forum?). Thanks.

I really, REALLY doubt you or I, or most anybody here would notice a difference in shave quality between a "real" made by Tosuke himself razor, and the razor you have there.

If you would like to go out and spend twice as much, you could go purchase an Iwasaki, or a "real" Tosuke, but I doubt it will make much "real" difference in the shave experience.

This is the razor I purchased when in Japan, same Yasukisteel stamp, different kanji. It shaved quite close, and took a fantastic edge. Japanese razors just didn't do "it" for me though....

But maybe thats because it wasn't a "real" Tosuke??

Try it and see if it's your knid of thing. Do a search on the forums here, I think you'll find that most folks get intrigued by teh Japanese razors, buy one, try one, find that they shave great, but are quite different in use than Western style ones. I don't know of too many here who use one as a daily shaver?

 

[JeffE]

Yes, the whole discussion of whether something was or was not made by any particular person is kind of besides the point, as you point out correctly.

My main reason for asking was that I thought someone here might be able to identify the craftsman from the writing on the blade. As it turns out, I'm getting a "real" Tosuke from someone else on B&B, so the question is kind of moot now anyway.

I do, however, kind of like the idea of owning a razor made by someone who has spent his whole life perfecting the art of razor-making. I understand that does not make it a perfect (or even a decent) razor, but I do think that part of the enjoyment here is purely mental, and the Tosuke blade has kind of a "romance" to it that other, mass produced blades (even superior ones) do not.

Anyway, it's enough to make me part with two hard earned benjamins, so I hope it shaves as nice as it looks!!!! There's apparently no "test drives" for these little puppies.

 

[JeffE]

This is the razor I purchased when in Japan, same Yasukisteel stamp, different kanji. It shaved quite close, and took a fantastic edge. Japanese razors just didn't do "it" for me though....

Also, Sera, nice looking Japanese razor!! Now you say it shaved close, took a fantastic edge, but it didn't work for you. Was there something in particular? Just curious. I'm kind of new here, but for whatever reason, the Japanese style razors just look "correct" to me for shaving. Probably I'm missing something.

 

[Seraphim]

Also, Sera, nice looking Japanese razor!! Now you say it shaved close, took a fantastic edge, but it didn't work for you. Was there something in particular? Just curious. I'm kind of new here, but for whatever reason, the Japanese style razors just look "correct" to me for shaving. Probably I'm missing something.

Take a look at this:

The blade grind is asymetrical on a Japanese style razor, and thus must be held at a different angle for each side, if using both sides (there are some who say a Japanese razor should only be used with one side against the face...).

Here's another diagram of what I'm talking about:

 

[DogHair]

So out of curiosity how do you tell? Is mine real? It has England Steel and five symbols on the blade and a few symbols on the tang? And for inquiring minds that's not a crack it's a small wrinkle in the steel.

 

[TstebinsB]

So out of curiosity how do you tell? Is mine real? It has England Steel and five symbols on the blade and a few symbols on the tang? And for inquiring minds that's not a crack it's a small wrinkle in the steel.

Yes. However, it's not a question of real or fake. It's a question of whether it's Tosuke-made or just Tosuke-handled. Yours is Tosuke-made (or made by one of his apprentices).

 

[Hughies_online]

The quality of the stamping on the original often looks poorer quality than the quality of the stamping on some of the fakes! Yours looks original to me.

 

[TstebinsB]

Stamps vary. Being clearer doesn't mean anything really. These razors were made by various people and the stamps are all different. Nonetheless, they're all traditional Japanese razors.