Kamisori - noob

[saj]

hello there, so im a head shaver, ive used cartridge razors, de razors, shavettes for a fair few years but i do have a few questions in regards to kamosoris

I've got kamisori style razors which take half de blades, however I don't consider these to be true
'kamasori' if I'm being honest

Where's the best place to get kamisoris? Online like eBay?

how does the sharpness on a kamisori compare to a se blade? or is it essentially the same?

Do you sharpen kamisori in the same way as you would a SR?

Thanks saj

 

[saj]

Is it possible to get something engraved on a kamisori?

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

I am generally a SR shaver, but I do own two genuine kamisoris. Kamisoris are different from western style razors, mainly because of the fact that they don't have a symmetrical grind. In simple terms, the one side looks like a hollow grind, and the other side is almost flat. This have implications with shaving and honing. Some say it was traditionally made so that someone else can shave you using a single hand, keeping the flat side on your face at all times.
In practise both sides shave ok, but I think a western style grind is easier to shave with and to hone.
The other factor to consider is that kamisoris generally have much shorter blades than western style razors.

 

[saj]

I am generally a SR shaver, but I do own two genuine kamisoris. Kamisoris are different from western style razors, mainly because of the fact that they don't have a symmetrical grind. In simple terms, the one side looks like a hollow grind, and the other side is almost flat. This have implications with shaving and honing. Some say it was traditionally made so that someone else can shave you using a single hand, keeping the flat side on your face at all times.
In practise both sides shave ok, but I think a western style grind is easier to shave with and to hone.
The other factor to consider is that kamisoris generally have much shorter blades than western style razors.

So how do you keep your kamisoris sharpened?

So would you say SR's are better? (Not sure if better is the right word)

I love the look of kamisoris tbh

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

So how do you keep your kamisoris sharpened?

So would you say SR's are better? (Not sure if better is the right word)

I love the look of kamisoris tbh

I honed both of them after watching a youtube video. Think the ratio is 8 laps on the hollow side to 1 lap on the flat side. Got them both sharp enough to shave comfortably. Stropping on balsa I just stropped as usual and the same on leather.

Better is not the word. Personal preference is what I would say. I use my SR mostly like a kamisori with the blade in line with the scales, so I thought I would like a kamisori. I prefer a western grind, it's easier for me to use. You get kamisoris made by custom makers that have a symetrical grind, but that is not a traditional kamisori.

 

[saj]

I honed both of them after watching a youtube video. Think the ratio is 8 laps on the hollow side to 1 lap on the flat side. Got them both sharp enough to shave comfortably. Stropping on balsa I just stropped as usual and the same on leather.

Better is not the word. Personal preference is what I would say. I use my SR mostly like a kamisori with the blade in line with the scales, so I thought I would like a kamisori. I prefer a western grind, it's easier for me to use. You get kamisoris made by custom makers that have a symetrical grind, but that is not a traditional kamisori.

View attachment 1197838

Wow that looks cool

yea preference is probably the right word I'd agree too

does it take longer to hone a kamisori compared to a SR?

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Wow that looks cool

yea preference is probably the right word I'd agree too

does it take longer to hone a kamisori compared to a SR?

Mine did. I ordered from Japan, and the razor was not even close to shave-ready. It was new. The handle was not even straight, so I had to carefully bend it to straighten it, and then spend a lot of time to set the bevel.

I suppose you get what you pay for, when you buy a well known brand from a reputable dealer, you would probably get a better razor. That won't be cheap. I didn't pay much, about £45 but the razor was not great.

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Traditional kamisoris are made from two types of steel that is forge-welded to get a high carbon edge with a softer steel body. I think at the time when high quality steel was expensive it was an economical way to make a razor.

If you look carefully at the blade you will see a small difference in colour or what is called a temper line running parallel to the edge. Looks like a shadow.

Very interesting cool razors, but practical?

 

[saj]

Mine did. I ordered from Japan, and the razor was not even close to shave-ready. It was new. The handle was not even straight, so I had to carefully bend it to straighten it, and then spend a lot of time to set the bevel.

I suppose you get what you pay for, when you buy a well known brand from a reputable dealer, you would probably get a better razor. That won't be cheap. I didn't pay much, about £45 but the razor was not great.

Sounds a bit long winded tbh

You on about eBay?

Looks nice mate on the kamisori what material is it that he use for the handle?

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Yeah bought on eBay.

Handles are covered by different materials, some are leather some are woven bamboo, some are plaited line. Next issue I have is that the coverings in my mind are going to make it difficult to keep the rust away, especially if they absorb water.

 

[saj]

Yeah bought on eBay.

Handles are covered by different materials, some are leather some are woven bamboo, some are plaited line. Next issue I have is that the coverings in my mind are going to make it difficult to keep the rust away, especially if they absorb water.

Good point but wouldn't drying the kamisori help in regards to that?

 

[saj]

@Biltong & Boerewors btw how long did shipping take from Japan?

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Shipping to the UK was quick, about 10 days if I remember correctly.

Just to clarify, I am not trying to convince you a kamisori is a bad idea, all I am saying is it's different. It's a bit more specialised, if SR shaving is not specialised enough . I struggled to get objective information when I started with SR's, think it will be more difficult with traditional kami's.

For the price of a good kamisori, I would rather buy a good SR, but that's me. Kamisoris have their followers, and they would probably be able to give you a hundred reasons why they prefer them.

There are currently more than 1000 people online and I am the only one talking to you. Think about it.

 

[saj]

Shipping to the UK was quick, about 10 days if I remember correctly.

Just to clarify, I am not trying to convince you a kamisori is a bad idea, all I am saying is it's different. It's a bit more specialised, if SR shaving is not specialised enough . I struggled to get objective information when I started with SR's, think it will be more difficult with traditional kami's.

For the price of a good kamisori, I would rather buy a good SR, but that's me. Kamisoris have their followers, and they would probably be able to give you a hundred reasons why they prefer them.

There are currently more than 1000 people online and I am the only one talking to you. Think about it.

Yea you make a good point to be fair

Thats really quick tbh

 

[JohnEzra]

I personally love Kamisoris, they're very easy to use, and once you get the hang of honing them, their geometry allows them to take a wicked sharp edge. That said I'm not sure they get any sharper than a well honed traditional razor.

You can get them on eBay, also some of the razor retailers have them. Also I believe that Maksim at Japanese Natural Stones gets them in stock frequently.

 

[saj]

I personally love Kamisoris, they're very easy to use, and once you get the hang of honing them, their geometry allows them to take a wicked sharp edge.

Can kamisoris be sharper then SR's? Or they about the same?

How many do you have?

 

[JohnEzra]

Can kamisoris be sharper then SR's? Or they about the same?

How many do you have?

I wouldn't necessarily say sharper, probably about the same level of refinement, though I do find them to be very easy to hone. At that stage perceived sharpness really just comes down to the geometry of that specific razor or kamisori. A kamisori with a 15 degree bevel angle will probably feel sharper than a straight with an 18 degree bevel angle, but the same applies in reverse.

 

[CollegeGroomer]

I find kamisoris, especially on the Omote side, are best used with a slightly shallower angle. The shaving sensation is pretty much the same as a western wedge, being a stiffer grind.

Honing one of these suckers can take slightly longer. I do most of the work with the Omote (cheaper iron side, usually the back) and stick to a 1/5 or 1/10 ratio. But it’s nothing too hard, and all the edges I’ve put on my kamisoris were excellent. So it’s a big stepup from honing traditional European style razors, but if you can sharpen a Japanese grind, you can sharpen anything.

 

[Casaluz]

I wouldn't necessarily say sharper, probably about the same level of refinement, though I do find them to be very easy to hone. At that stage perceived sharpness really just comes down to the geometry of that specific razor or kamisori. A kamisori with a 15 degree bevel angle will probably feel sharper than a straight with an 18 degree bevel angle, but the same applies in reverse.

I agree with you, although the do feel different than SRs. It is este to get used to then than to SRs

 

[Casaluz]

Traditional kamisoris are made from two types of steel that is forge-welded to get a high carbon edge with a softer steel body. I think at the time when high quality steel was expensive it was an economical way to make a razor.

If you look carefully at the blade you will see a small difference in colour or what is called a temper line running parallel to the edge. Looks like a shadow.

Very interesting cool razors, but practical?

View attachment 1197844

This one is beautiful