Steve56
Ask me about shaving naked!
They’re not suspect, those Japanese market Westerns are fine, but they may not be the same razor that you’re expecting. Certainly the Henckels ‘V’ series was 1/4 hollow/near wedge.
I don’t think that the stones were a part of the preference for heavier grinds, just heavy beards. Same in the West if you buy a razor marked ‘Pour barbe dure’ or ‘Starken Bart’, you’ll get a very similar razor to the Japanese preferences.
Japanese razors are really the best deal going, you can find lots of new to near new razors at the same or better price points than contemporary razors, the steel is likely better, and you don’t have to worry about duds.
I don’t think that the stones were a part of the preference for heavier grinds, just heavy beards. Same in the West if you buy a razor marked ‘Pour barbe dure’ or ‘Starken Bart’, you’ll get a very similar razor to the Japanese preferences.
Japanese razors are really the best deal going, you can find lots of new to near new razors at the same or better price points than contemporary razors, the steel is likely better, and you don’t have to worry about duds.