Tosuke Japanese Straight Razor Discussion Thread...
- Thread starter joel
- Start date
Joel,
Appreciate the review (and other recent additions in the straight section). It is a great read as usual.
Did you purchase this from a forum member or directly from Japan? Seeing that the blade is rather thick, would you say that it shaves more like a Feather AC or a traditional straight?
Best,
NYGuy
Appreciate the review (and other recent additions in the straight section). It is a great read as usual.
Did you purchase this from a forum member or directly from Japan? Seeing that the blade is rather thick, would you say that it shaves more like a Feather AC or a traditional straight?
Best,
NYGuy
- Thread starter
- #3
NYGuy,
That one in particular I was able to purchase from another forum member. The one I had custom made out of ZDP189 was from Japan.
I can't really compare it to a traditional straight, or a feather AC, as it is entirely different. While it is quite thick at the spine, it has a remarkable edge, as it is a tremendous mix of being extremely fine, yet VERY rigid. Really a cool razor.
I have a "Japanese version" of the Feather AC, along with the "American version." I must say, I am really starting to prefer the flexibility of grip choice with the Japanese version. Joel is absolutely correct, when he states you can pretty much reach any spot from any angle with a Japanese razor.
Of course, a major difference between the razor that Joel reviewed and the J v. AC (aside from the obvious) is Joel's razor is ground for shaving on only one side of the blade (i.e. asymmetrical), while the J v. AC has a symmetrical blade system, allowing for use of both sides of the blade (for me, this system is even more flexible).
Of course, you can achieve almost the same flexibility by rotating the scales and adjusting the grip, with a traditional straight (Note: I do say almost). However, I find myself a bit self conscious about deviating from the "proper" technique/form, and the scales and shape of the traditional straight do tend to get in the way. With the Japanese version, on the other hand, I do not face these "issues."
Of course, a major difference between the razor that Joel reviewed and the J v. AC (aside from the obvious) is Joel's razor is ground for shaving on only one side of the blade (i.e. asymmetrical), while the J v. AC has a symmetrical blade system, allowing for use of both sides of the blade (for me, this system is even more flexible).
Of course, you can achieve almost the same flexibility by rotating the scales and adjusting the grip, with a traditional straight (Note: I do say almost). However, I find myself a bit self conscious about deviating from the "proper" technique/form, and the scales and shape of the traditional straight do tend to get in the way. With the Japanese version, on the other hand, I do not face these "issues."
Which side do you hold next to your face?
I often admire the quality craftsmanship the Japanese take in their work. I have never tried a straight, and looking at the beauty of this thing makes me want to try. I have an upcoming trip to tokyo, and osaka. Does anyone know of a retail establishment where something similar can be purchased? I have not seen any online vendors.
How much did the custom made one run you?
Can you still buy the custom made ones?
Can you still buy the custom made ones?
The box is upside-down in the first pic and what the hell does shumagashi mean? 
Cor!
ZDP 189 is the new wonder steel most recently presented in knives. Spyderco was amongst the first with the Caly Jr that, like this blade, was a two steel laminate. William Henry, who makes pricey knives, I believe offers ZDP as well. It is only available from Japan.
I don't know about straights, but the knives featuring ZDP are usually hardened to a RC of 65+. I would guess that you will not be honing often, simply stropping.
I don't know about straights, but the knives featuring ZDP are usually hardened to a RC of 65+. I would guess that you will not be honing often, simply stropping.
Can someone name me a place in Japan to buy one. Just an address. I'm lookin for a brick and mortar.
Sparky,
If you do a search for "Japanese Razor" on SRP, you'll find several posts that discuss Japanese razor sources. From what I understand, there are VERY FEW craftsmen that still produce these (as Joel mentions, the craftsman that made his razor is rather old/ill, and is no longer making them). Furthermore, these are typically "made to order," thus making your finding them in a Japanese B&M store unlikely.
I can hope, lol, and will ceretainly look.
This was a few years back, I purchased a set at a garage sale. The women sold me a set of 8 razors/4 hones/tile for $50, the husband/barber spent 30 minutes teaching me how to sharpen them. Besides the basic razors like Joel reviewed was a quite a large, a stainless steel one and one had a sharp angled point. The husband was a barber when he was young, before marrying and moving to SoCal.
Like Joel said they are wicked sharped and I couldnt control the blade well. I tried shaving with one of the razors and decided I wait til I had more time. Really the stopper was the handles as they are just squared steel. I thought about wrapping them in cord and knot work, then tried the rubber thingys that go on pencils. Nothing really worked. So I coated them in cosmoline and wrapped them in wax paper.
I am going to have to call my wife's Uncle Akira in Japan to see if he can find me a rubber handled one.
Like Joel said they are wicked sharped and I couldnt control the blade well. I tried shaving with one of the razors and decided I wait til I had more time. Really the stopper was the handles as they are just squared steel. I thought about wrapping them in cord and knot work, then tried the rubber thingys that go on pencils. Nothing really worked. So I coated them in cosmoline and wrapped them in wax paper.
I am going to have to call my wife's Uncle Akira in Japan to see if he can find me a rubber handled one.
- Thread starter
- #15
That is very much incorrect. I don't know who started that rumor, as it is quite prevalent, however the Japanese style razors shave equally effective on EITHER side of the blade - period.
- Thread starter
- #16
Be very patient and wait for a member to sell one, or one to pop up on ebay. Trying to order one from Japan is miserable, and I got blatantly robbed by one outfit.
They are VERY hard to come by..... at ANY price. I paid a tremendous premium to get mine.
Joel,
My understanding from Tony Miller is that only one side of the blade of the Japanese straight is honed for shaving. Hopefully he will comment on this.
Randy
My understanding from Tony Miller is that only one side of the blade of the Japanese straight is honed for shaving. Hopefully he will comment on this.
Randy
The confusion may be in the fact that many Japanese culinary knives are a "chisel" grind. Angled on one side; flat on the other.
- Thread starter
- #20
Randy,
I spoke to the man who actually made them (when custom ordering the one in ZDP steel) and through a translator, he made it vividly clear, you shave with both sides. I own 4 Japanese straights - 2 new and 2 ancient and I use ALL 4 on both sides with equally fantastic results. The different shapes/blade profile on both sides are to create a fine, yet incredibly robust edge.
It is not chisel ground - in that BOTH side are sharpened with an angle, the wedge side is not just straight down (a la chisel).
