Kamisori Love?

[craig94yj]

Gentlemen,

I am still waiting on a cheap, but shave ready straight and strop to arrive. I still have not even had a straight razor shave, yet I find myself strangely attracted to the kamisori razor. Maybe in another life I shaved with one, who knows. Does anyone use one and prefer it over a traditional straight and why? They are rather expensive so before I purchase something I would appreciate some opinions. Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[craig94yj]

Sorry, I just saw Kent's Kamisori Korner. I will do some surfing.

 

[Obiwan]

Kent's got some very helpful info out there. I use kamisori usually about 2-3 times a week and traditional folders the other days. Great razors and I love mine, but they are not for everyone.

 

[ladykate]

I use them occasionally. They are different and they give good shaves. I've seen some experienced people use them and not like them - it will be a matter of taste. There is (was) as pass-around. I think the traditional razor is easiest to learn on.

 

[Doc226]

Blood thirsty instruments they are.

 

[Wid]

I use one about once a week. While I don't mind it and it does give a really nice shave I am better at this point with a traditional straight razor.

 

[chibi]

I love kamisori. Been using them for years although not for every shave. I recently gave away cart shaving completely and will definitely keep kamisori in my rotation. I may have to thin my collection though to make way for a few more traditional straights.

 

[rockviper]

Come on in; the water's fine!

I am back into straight for about 2 months now (tried about 18 months ago and gave it up then) and this was prompted by a kami on the BST. I have a few "normal" straights and prefer the feel of the kami to them.
I have a shave journal going if you want a laugh or two.

 

[craig94yj]

It seems like it has the same reputation here as the R41 has in the DE world. I am a head shaver so if I shave with a straight or kamisori, eventually I will need to learn to shave my head with it. What is the general consensus here about the Feather AC? Would it be easier to learn on one of those first?

 

[Bk124tt]

I love my Kami! BTW, Kent is an excellent ambassador of Kamisori's!

 

[gash]

I use a kamisori exclusively. After using a handful of Western straights for a bit over a year, I tried a kamisori and haven't used anything else since.

In my experience:

The kamisori takes a finer edge. It also is more nimble.

Overall, the kamisori is less tolerant of mistakes and of dullness. If I touch the edge to my skin with any pressure, I will get cut. If the edge is not terrifyingly sharp, the shave will suffer.

Compared with Western straights, the kamisori feels like an expert's tool; it may not feel as easy or as "happy" to use, but if you know how to wield it, the shaves can be much more fun and rewarding.

A Western straight is like a Porsche; a kamisori is like an F1 car.

 

[Boro62]

my first try with a straight was actually a friend's iwasaki kamisori. To me it seemed difficult to handle and it bit me a couple of times, once with the spiked tip. To me it seemed less forgiving and harder to use, almost gave up on straights until my friend convinced me to try a western razor, picked a 5/8 dovo astrale with a round point which seemed to be a bit easier on my learning curve.

 

[craig94yj]

Well I signed up for the pass around. Thanks Dan.