Bladerunner7
Member
I sure did but it wasn't a hidden wrist blade, just a Kamisori my friend, locked and loaded.
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My Kamisori Experience
- Thread starter rbscebu
- Start date
Bladerunner7
Member
Assassins Creed origins, Speedy is bang on about that. I'm a huge fan of the series.
Me too, I’ve got every PC games and novels.
Also pre-order the new Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition today
Last edited:
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
Yesterday (Wednesday) morning I started my kamisori shaving experience with the Tosuka R2. I chose this razor out of the two as I found it easier to strop with, having a more robust handle.
My first true kamisori shave went quite well. Only one very minor weeper on the left cheek. Although the blade was shave-ready as received, it was not quite up to the standard that I desired. There was some ever-so-slight tugging on the whiskers when performing my fool's pass. After that shave, I put the razor through a full diamond pasted balsa strop progression. This morning's (Thursday"s) shave showed a noticeable improvement in the fool's pass.
Others have suggested that when shaving with an asymmetrical kamisori, that they had to concentrate more on the shave angle. I did not experience that. This may be due to me having developed my technique where I determine the best shave angle by feel rather than sight. What I am finding though, is that I still need to refine my selection of stroke angles. If Japanese men can do it, I surely can.
After this morning's shave, I put the razor though another full balsa strop progression and will see if I notice and further improvement in the fool's pass tomorrow morning.
Others have suggested that when shaving with an asymmetrical kamisori, that they had to concentrate more on the shave angle. I did not experience that. This may be due to me having developed my technique where I determine the best shave angle by feel rather than sight. What I am finding though, is that I still need to refine my selection of stroke angles. If Japanese men can do it, I surely can.
After this morning's shave, I put the razor though another full balsa strop progression and will see if I notice and further improvement in the fool's pass tomorrow morning.
Bladerunner7
Member
Wow, this is the one with the Naoe Sekiryu Character Pack in it yeah. Am on it right away. Don't know how I missed out on this, thanks Bruh. So excited.
One more reason to like Speedy.
Bladerunner7
Member
Richard...you are a LEGEND. There is something about the Kamisori design that has always been it's attractive feature. I know that the Japs are so focused on precision and design that aesthetically their goods and products are always visually appealing. Take Onitsuka Tiger and their sports avatar Asics.Yesterday (Wednesday) morning I started my kamisori shaving experience with the Tosuka R2. I chose this razor out of the two as I found it easier to strop with, having a more robust handle.
My first true kamisori shave went quite well. Only one very minor weeper on the left cheek. Although the blade was shave-ready as received, it was not quite up to the standard that I desired. There was some ever-so-slight tugging on the whiskers when performing my fool's pass. After that shave, I put the razor through a full diamond pasted balsa strop progression. This morning's (Thursday"s) shave showed a noticeable improvement in the fool's pass.
Others have suggested that when shaving with an asymmetrical kamisori, that they had to concentrate more on the shave angle. I did not experience that. This may be due to me having developed my technique where I determine the best shave angle by feel rather than sight. What I am finding though, is that I still need to refine my selection of stroke angles. If Japanese men can do it, I surely can.
After this morning's shave, I put the razor though another full balsa strop progression and will see if I notice and further improvement in the fool's pass tomorrow morning.
Bladerunner7
Member
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
Shave No. 3 with a true kamisori.
Before receiving the loan kamisoris from @LesC he warned me that shaving with them can become addictive. He was not wrong. This morning's shave was one of the closest and most comfortable shaves I have ever given myself and not a single little weeper. I am of course still leaning but it is starting to all come together.
What I learnt this morning was that the way you hold the razor can greatly influence the way it performs. With western style SRs, I have always adjusted my hold depending on which part of my face that I am shaving. I am now experimenting with different holds using this kamisori and it is starting to come together. I am still finding difficulty in just shaving with the Omote side against my face, particularly on my right jaw line when shaving chin to ear (ATG). That is about the only stroke that is still giving me trouble. Other than that, I'm hooked!
Before receiving the loan kamisoris from @LesC he warned me that shaving with them can become addictive. He was not wrong. This morning's shave was one of the closest and most comfortable shaves I have ever given myself and not a single little weeper. I am of course still leaning but it is starting to all come together.
What I learnt this morning was that the way you hold the razor can greatly influence the way it performs. With western style SRs, I have always adjusted my hold depending on which part of my face that I am shaving. I am now experimenting with different holds using this kamisori and it is starting to come together. I am still finding difficulty in just shaving with the Omote side against my face, particularly on my right jaw line when shaving chin to ear (ATG). That is about the only stroke that is still giving me trouble. Other than that, I'm hooked!
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
One thing I forgot to mention, after its second full balsa strop progression, I am finding this blade's edge being up to my requirements.
After this morning's shave, I gave the edge a half balsa strop progression (full without the 0.5μm). That should about finish it off. From now on, this razor should just need a normal 0.1μm hanging balsa stropping after each shave to keep the edge chrisp.
After this morning's shave, I gave the edge a half balsa strop progression (full without the 0.5μm). That should about finish it off. From now on, this razor should just need a normal 0.1μm hanging balsa stropping after each shave to keep the edge chrisp.
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
With each kamisori shave it only gets better. This morning all went very well. I found a way to shave horizontally from jaw to chin on my right side with the Omote side. It is not easy and will require some muscle-memory development.
Tomorrow will be my last day with this Tosuke kamisori. On Monday I will start with the Yamamasa.
Tomorrow will be my last day with this Tosuke kamisori. On Monday I will start with the Yamamasa.
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
An observation. I measured to bevel angle of both kamisori.
Tosuke = 20.4°
Yamamasa = 17.8°
That 20.4° of the Tosuke is about the most obtuse bevel angle I have shaved with. When teaching SR shaving, I normally recommend to my students that their first SR should have a bevel angle of about 18° ±½° as that makes for a more forgiving edge. As their technique improves, they can move to more acute bevel angles.
Another observation is that when laying a kamisori down on a flat surface, do so with the Omote side down. That should keep the edge away from the hard flat surface.
Tosuke = 20.4°
Yamamasa = 17.8°
That 20.4° of the Tosuke is about the most obtuse bevel angle I have shaved with. When teaching SR shaving, I normally recommend to my students that their first SR should have a bevel angle of about 18° ±½° as that makes for a more forgiving edge. As their technique improves, they can move to more acute bevel angles.
Another observation is that when laying a kamisori down on a flat surface, do so with the Omote side down. That should keep the edge away from the hard flat surface.
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
Having now completed five daily shaves with the Tosuke R12 kamisori, I am impressed with kamisori shaving. I approached shaving with the intention of of shaving with it in the traditional way with the Omote side only towards my skin. Some of things that I have learnt with this adventure into kamisori shaving are:
It was advantages to first practice shave with a traditional SR shorty using just the reverse side towards my skin.
Like all SR shaving, edge keenness, skin stretching and shave angle is most important.
You cannot always shave in directions that you are use to so you need to try different directions. This can sometimes give you even better results than normal. For me, this was particularly so on my neck where the grain is horizontal from the throat outwards.
You need to develop many different ways of holding the kami while shaving.
You need to develop different muscle memory for kami shaving.
I'm not sure if it was the kamisori razor of the extra concentration that I put into my shaving but the shave results are generally better than what I get with western style SRs.
Now I will reluctantly put this Tosuke R12 away for tomorrow I move in to the Yamamasa kamisori with a different Razorock soap.
It was advantages to first practice shave with a traditional SR shorty using just the reverse side towards my skin.
Like all SR shaving, edge keenness, skin stretching and shave angle is most important.
You cannot always shave in directions that you are use to so you need to try different directions. This can sometimes give you even better results than normal. For me, this was particularly so on my neck where the grain is horizontal from the throat outwards.
You need to develop many different ways of holding the kami while shaving.
You need to develop different muscle memory for kami shaving.
I'm not sure if it was the kamisori razor of the extra concentration that I put into my shaving but the shave results are generally better than what I get with western style SRs.
Now I will reluctantly put this Tosuke R12 away for tomorrow I move in to the Yamamasa kamisori with a different Razorock soap.
Bladerunner7
Member
Lovely Review of the Tosuke R12 Richard, looking forward to your journey with the Yamamasa.
I have a question, for a beginner is it easier to start with a conventional Western Straight or a Kamisori ? From your reviews, it does seem evident that even a seasoned shaver with straights needs to start with his technique again for the Kamisori. But the Kamisori design is just so much slicker.
By the way the Speedster (@SpeedyPC) wants to pick up the sharpest and meanest Kamisori known to mankind. He's setting the Blackbird free soon.
Answering and also not answering your question, you might also consider a Western kami. Years ago, that's what I used (the blade made by myself, and the tang wrapped with rattan) before I started shaving my head. At the time, I didn't feel any urge to mess around with what I thought of as cumbersome scales. (Bearing in mind that there was no YouTube back then to show me how.) It was a nice ride, and in my totally biased opinion, I commend it over a Western straight.
Bladerunner7
Member
rbscebu
Mr. Strop
@Bladerunner7, there are two main types of grinds that a SR can have; an assymetrical grind (traditional Japanese kamisori style) or a symmetrical grind (typical western style). Kamisori SRs can also be obtained with a symmetrical grind.
Then you have edge length. Kamisori normally have an edge length of about 50mm while western style SRs have about 70mm. Western style SRs can also be obtained with a 50mm edge length (referred to as a shorty).
Finally there are the scales (handle). Western style SRs normally have folding scales while a kamisori generally has a fixed handle.
Addressing the two different types of grind, the assymetrical grind is traditionally meant to be used with only one side (Omote) against the skin, although many swap sides while shaving. If swapping sides, you need to be very careful with your shave angle as a different angle is required depending on the side you are using.
Shorter edge lengths can be more difficult to shave with as the blade's toe (and heel) will be closer to your skin when shaving. This could make it easier to cut yourself with the ends of the blade.
As for scales/handle type, that is a personal preference. When shaving, I prefer the fixed handle on a short blade razor like the traditional kamisori. This seems to give me better control but you loose out on safety when storing.
Now to address your question about a kamisori or western style for a beginner. As a teacher of SR shaving, I would recommend a symmetrically ground western style full length SR with folding scales. It is the easiest and most forgiving to shave with. The only time that I would recommend that a beginner start with an assymetrically ground kamisori style SR with fixed handle is if the student intended to shave exclusively with such into their future.
@Gargravarr has made an interesting comment above. I believe that his "kamisori" razor was symmetrically ground, full-length edge with a fixed handle. You would probably have to get one of those custom made.
Then you have edge length. Kamisori normally have an edge length of about 50mm while western style SRs have about 70mm. Western style SRs can also be obtained with a 50mm edge length (referred to as a shorty).
Finally there are the scales (handle). Western style SRs normally have folding scales while a kamisori generally has a fixed handle.
Addressing the two different types of grind, the assymetrical grind is traditionally meant to be used with only one side (Omote) against the skin, although many swap sides while shaving. If swapping sides, you need to be very careful with your shave angle as a different angle is required depending on the side you are using.
Shorter edge lengths can be more difficult to shave with as the blade's toe (and heel) will be closer to your skin when shaving. This could make it easier to cut yourself with the ends of the blade.
As for scales/handle type, that is a personal preference. When shaving, I prefer the fixed handle on a short blade razor like the traditional kamisori. This seems to give me better control but you loose out on safety when storing.
Now to address your question about a kamisori or western style for a beginner. As a teacher of SR shaving, I would recommend a symmetrically ground western style full length SR with folding scales. It is the easiest and most forgiving to shave with. The only time that I would recommend that a beginner start with an assymetrically ground kamisori style SR with fixed handle is if the student intended to shave exclusively with such into their future.
@Gargravarr has made an interesting comment above. I believe that his "kamisori" razor was symmetrically ground, full-length edge with a fixed handle. You would probably have to get one of those custom made.
I don't know for sure where that razor is (dark suspicions regarding a certain removals company
) but IIRC the blade length would have been closer to 60mm. You're right about the rest, it was never meant to be the real (authentic Japanese) deal, it was made to do a job, which it did.