Iwasaki Kamisori

[ceriano]

Does Iwasaki still make kamisori? I heard rumors he has retired 2 years ago and all razors are now made by Mizuochi.

 

[musicman980]

I’m under the impression that yes his student makes all of the kamisori now, though I thought Iwasaki retired a lot longer than two years ago. Maybe someone else could clarify?

 

[Manannan]

Ryoichi Mizuochi took over production in early 2014 (ish) from Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, son of the founder Hiroshi Iwasaki. Iwasaki tamahagane kamisori have not been produced for years, after the tamahagane tatara (furnace) was broken during a move of premises. Beware of Iwasaki kamisori being sold on eBay and elsewhere as 'tamahagane' but not bearing the tamahagane kanji mark (likely either Shirogami white paper steel or Swedish steel versions).