Kamisori - noob

D

Deleted member 12673

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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
 
I have a kamisori and I love it. The blade is far easier to use in one hand over the other as the blade is not symmetrical. It is just as good as a "normal" straight though keeping that edge going is tougher work. I do not give it the same number of strokes both sides but I always have to refer to my guide. The other issue is storage - my straights all have lovely scales to protect them but the kami does not. I bought mine off a dealer so it came with a guaranteed great edge (but not as cheap as I could have got it from ebay).
 
Do you mean true Kamisori rather than a stick that you put a disposable blade into?

Like this?

KLSt2ZE8zUxuoVaqj1px-342oN5Ht9aL9Izqh6mu2HXAa3y4PSGfz26I7B5FpppBhBKOuiRZBRWqj8ecFHHXTWsdVQ6XDpFKEiOFT4bJVxsCDFIOTdVKSr5d1ayoLrddVuE4d9WlylJrWUC6uhTY4ORkaW773QPDRlUtZV1fKKNh7-pMS6N4_x2222Mfs4YGz56_k6s7lBa_p9kAT2rn0ZAhHunwioEw-PGQ5mXks_diJB_XfVoWqtHSj4W20P2WT27mLAsazAZPZnK46S13i3srk-ijYF6wALHvQMbFm88Sf9nH61sanw4KzLWDC-oSUHSF2AIWYffNZAJc2f8LZ9JYoapdVP2TFVmfxxGlBq6gDC4zbvmnQ71xvjF1y5mWzFeh1jVIYgY6FkpWqLaIWGM_Xlcjhz-nPll7d8TVojmhbh2scTk_tTxEgcltE6_2ybZXNjdmDepV9Mdni9b6fiR-n1C9M9i7EMZL3NWIIodrU8uNx7Ak3NdfQyL6rAhc-AvvaN6LWJxkcB-1sO1eccwNdDe1BPslUOg5QTZSd5OZ2wzU9Imw-l_Zx1kC6QkV3oZaBjdaYg1hNA_4bqB22W0tbom7zONonZpegDKqfqL9JbIMQ2H7XLwQVQHLc_v5HK6txiGeVkHd7xd334UPAPcdQyNgezc48WBq8iftXzd4W1yypZvnZKJcE0oRhA=w1200


Japanese Kamisori are single sided - by that, I mean the are designed to be shaved only on one side, the other is completely flat, not ground and not honed. I've only had maybe 5 or 6 through my hands, all of which I honed and found the metal to be quite soft, responding to honing very easily.

mgjGtX8FffTjj4ObL4tyT8QBgGU7pv2RH6OI1RlfR-yygVuNU5VhRClqURs2ygSdnhWEwQy3kWNWZbOHLjPDqTQfUVA66GRRMf_jMKlMPXk5ONfbeXTowG7hh0CGayZXR26kMnIUS8rXf9bhTIiP6hdVOAzJF0AtAKl7-3HPwZAzS3Sx93Ofa5kv8ga8sEXOHAWoq9fh1poiHEvpwwCbBR6xGUgMg3ov2TpIh_ZXJt_iLd9T851pV7SNsShu4mJdyGv2ZVSivw0iA8NKV9WKE3g9-UtWajMX2ktCtJKgwe4rbTZnBw_gD95X5aXiOWwF7oyXeuXvt8VaokRI-uMXzeV4S8g50SmBimlEu3RpHJDs3SJUr6RtOA5PQLntcsSfKc0Q6LoCDvdnHDC1vzzz-ML5-Kfl9i2RyTj755Pr4K6R-bbzFZC52ittZNMQ8A26B_jj0X3tbaJoENSBgso13RfCARJeRUpgaw8OasdNbg_H9lX56JFmem9vtbtfF-VePDd2C-a0vzbwA0FpDkS9An6VURwzcM447hYIqT65PD86BIe2auia1rGhUr9OB16VxS0MCGTvUTWKO-VNpbQwtHb_1ZZEOTaj8V0vvD_AkkyqKlGoCoKNV0F_WiCoswz8TleHLkjVYkyI7sKibNRL-b4hKaIvqiRluyjsakHVUR-0uobjMw4jvp0eMzvfng=w800


I kept one which is not Japanese, but cut from a microtome which is a lab slicer - same deal, one flat side and one hollow ground and honed.

EAHbLDGIWERwtFovNjoHc0OeKBfZSmko4-vHbG05Zfl5J34a-AGgB8CNwVtxTqYPQtkTj9tcOaP7KCOOHcXeG_NLgBAHmoRpbgaeo_yFHJ6W3g5Ap5lxhWX8xJshITDnySaPHNxhi-TYkeXl5bdxeuf83GAp4xscs3P50V7oAkujOwG5SPEkLubOoi-9H7vWpyiKWzxqPs4-vPOSbFUcWSAnPKsZFpfFSkGVZYNQq7bh6Dyt--AZ4721T4baJGRZyR9fQtdU-wEU6RoERqg-LU5ndWRJJG-d_Nwb9aT-DtsUtc8iJPss6W7dPf8If_OWt0dfrdX1ZfTIlpEV-c3OphxLc7BSS8brZsYM09en8DY0YZFR9fyl6iiNF5AtM9Noen5UYvCd_w7zsvo1FBlGKf-rFb5b70C9-rOAQUDBlHphgHjfdyWlvScNzKIjnuls5ZeyYXkrjubAsmZ0hFiNkFUYo9T5fPRSsPz5u1gXYmt1Z5hasiPcJjfDVlKjPNH6mh1KugndUteO2gQTTbabw2R1Em9dIDAu4fm-yEngFhq_TJgrH9Is5L52GoLCip7B39eDgvEMc26dKdtQEwF_f7-200uLBeSOpemGT7Tt8PeDTJ7F6aztEbLEU9Fv7cSCmK1UqihXfGwdP2UkuP9Y8PYre5_vdRcI3l8bQoQJqpRl8JDFvr5yrTYQPBQMMQ=w1200


So, yes you hone them as per western straights but be aware they are not symmetrical grinds.

If you were curious, you could either:

Buy eBay and take your chances, trial and error with honing and/or that the blade is not just being sold because the grind has gone and it will no longer hone. OR, ask a known good seller/honer and get one ready to roll ... see if you like it.
 
Do you mean true Kamisori rather than a stick that you put a disposable blade into?

Like this?

KLSt2ZE8zUxuoVaqj1px-342oN5Ht9aL9Izqh6mu2HXAa3y4PSGfz26I7B5FpppBhBKOuiRZBRWqj8ecFHHXTWsdVQ6XDpFKEiOFT4bJVxsCDFIOTdVKSr5d1ayoLrddVuE4d9WlylJrWUC6uhTY4ORkaW773QPDRlUtZV1fKKNh7-pMS6N4_x2222Mfs4YGz56_k6s7lBa_p9kAT2rn0ZAhHunwioEw-PGQ5mXks_diJB_XfVoWqtHSj4W20P2WT27mLAsazAZPZnK46S13i3srk-ijYF6wALHvQMbFm88Sf9nH61sanw4KzLWDC-oSUHSF2AIWYffNZAJc2f8LZ9JYoapdVP2TFVmfxxGlBq6gDC4zbvmnQ71xvjF1y5mWzFeh1jVIYgY6FkpWqLaIWGM_Xlcjhz-nPll7d8TVojmhbh2scTk_tTxEgcltE6_2ybZXNjdmDepV9Mdni9b6fiR-n1C9M9i7EMZL3NWIIodrU8uNx7Ak3NdfQyL6rAhc-AvvaN6LWJxkcB-1sO1eccwNdDe1BPslUOg5QTZSd5OZ2wzU9Imw-l_Zx1kC6QkV3oZaBjdaYg1hNA_4bqB22W0tbom7zONonZpegDKqfqL9JbIMQ2H7XLwQVQHLc_v5HK6txiGeVkHd7xd334UPAPcdQyNgezc48WBq8iftXzd4W1yypZvnZKJcE0oRhA=w1200


Japanese Kamisori are single sided - by that, I mean the are designed to be shaved only on one side, the other is completely flat, not ground and not honed. I've only had maybe 5 or 6 through my hands, all of which I honed and found the metal to be quite soft, responding to honing very easily.

mgjGtX8FffTjj4ObL4tyT8QBgGU7pv2RH6OI1RlfR-yygVuNU5VhRClqURs2ygSdnhWEwQy3kWNWZbOHLjPDqTQfUVA66GRRMf_jMKlMPXk5ONfbeXTowG7hh0CGayZXR26kMnIUS8rXf9bhTIiP6hdVOAzJF0AtAKl7-3HPwZAzS3Sx93Ofa5kv8ga8sEXOHAWoq9fh1poiHEvpwwCbBR6xGUgMg3ov2TpIh_ZXJt_iLd9T851pV7SNsShu4mJdyGv2ZVSivw0iA8NKV9WKE3g9-UtWajMX2ktCtJKgwe4rbTZnBw_gD95X5aXiOWwF7oyXeuXvt8VaokRI-uMXzeV4S8g50SmBimlEu3RpHJDs3SJUr6RtOA5PQLntcsSfKc0Q6LoCDvdnHDC1vzzz-ML5-Kfl9i2RyTj755Pr4K6R-bbzFZC52ittZNMQ8A26B_jj0X3tbaJoENSBgso13RfCARJeRUpgaw8OasdNbg_H9lX56JFmem9vtbtfF-VePDd2C-a0vzbwA0FpDkS9An6VURwzcM447hYIqT65PD86BIe2auia1rGhUr9OB16VxS0MCGTvUTWKO-VNpbQwtHb_1ZZEOTaj8V0vvD_AkkyqKlGoCoKNV0F_WiCoswz8TleHLkjVYkyI7sKibNRL-b4hKaIvqiRluyjsakHVUR-0uobjMw4jvp0eMzvfng=w800


I kept one which is not Japanese, but cut from a microtome which is a lab slicer - same deal, one flat side and one hollow ground and honed.

EAHbLDGIWERwtFovNjoHc0OeKBfZSmko4-vHbG05Zfl5J34a-AGgB8CNwVtxTqYPQtkTj9tcOaP7KCOOHcXeG_NLgBAHmoRpbgaeo_yFHJ6W3g5Ap5lxhWX8xJshITDnySaPHNxhi-TYkeXl5bdxeuf83GAp4xscs3P50V7oAkujOwG5SPEkLubOoi-9H7vWpyiKWzxqPs4-vPOSbFUcWSAnPKsZFpfFSkGVZYNQq7bh6Dyt--AZ4721T4baJGRZyR9fQtdU-wEU6RoERqg-LU5ndWRJJG-d_Nwb9aT-DtsUtc8iJPss6W7dPf8If_OWt0dfrdX1ZfTIlpEV-c3OphxLc7BSS8brZsYM09en8DY0YZFR9fyl6iiNF5AtM9Noen5UYvCd_w7zsvo1FBlGKf-rFb5b70C9-rOAQUDBlHphgHjfdyWlvScNzKIjnuls5ZeyYXkrjubAsmZ0hFiNkFUYo9T5fPRSsPz5u1gXYmt1Z5hasiPcJjfDVlKjPNH6mh1KugndUteO2gQTTbabw2R1Em9dIDAu4fm-yEngFhq_TJgrH9Is5L52GoLCip7B39eDgvEMc26dKdtQEwF_f7-200uLBeSOpemGT7Tt8PeDTJ7F6aztEbLEU9Fv7cSCmK1UqihXfGwdP2UkuP9Y8PYre5_vdRcI3l8bQoQJqpRl8JDFvr5yrTYQPBQMMQ=w1200


So, yes you hone them as per western straights but be aware they are not symmetrical grinds.

If you were curious, you could either:

Buy eBay and take your chances, trial and error with honing and/or that the blade is not just being sold because the grind has gone and it will no longer hone. OR, ask a known good seller/honer and get one ready to roll ... see if you like it.
I really want to get a kamisori

How much did you generally buy yours for as an average from the 5-6 you had mate?

Tbh I haven't a foggiest on how to hone them and what I need exactly, which is something I find frustrating as I'd love to shave my head with a kamisori, just the thought feel like art not gonna lie
 
Guys I really want to get a kamisori,

I've seen different styles of them, what's best to get? Or is it a matter of personal preference?
 
Guys I really want to get a kamisori,

I've seen different styles of them, what's best to get? Or is it a matter of personal preference?
Japanese style "is the kamisori". The advice is in that post. You get what you pay for ...
 
Do you mean true Kamisori rather than a stick that you put a disposable blade into?

Like this?

KLSt2ZE8zUxuoVaqj1px-342oN5Ht9aL9Izqh6mu2HXAa3y4PSGfz26I7B5FpppBhBKOuiRZBRWqj8ecFHHXTWsdVQ6XDpFKEiOFT4bJVxsCDFIOTdVKSr5d1ayoLrddVuE4d9WlylJrWUC6uhTY4ORkaW773QPDRlUtZV1fKKNh7-pMS6N4_x2222Mfs4YGz56_k6s7lBa_p9kAT2rn0ZAhHunwioEw-PGQ5mXks_diJB_XfVoWqtHSj4W20P2WT27mLAsazAZPZnK46S13i3srk-ijYF6wALHvQMbFm88Sf9nH61sanw4KzLWDC-oSUHSF2AIWYffNZAJc2f8LZ9JYoapdVP2TFVmfxxGlBq6gDC4zbvmnQ71xvjF1y5mWzFeh1jVIYgY6FkpWqLaIWGM_Xlcjhz-nPll7d8TVojmhbh2scTk_tTxEgcltE6_2ybZXNjdmDepV9Mdni9b6fiR-n1C9M9i7EMZL3NWIIodrU8uNx7Ak3NdfQyL6rAhc-AvvaN6LWJxkcB-1sO1eccwNdDe1BPslUOg5QTZSd5OZ2wzU9Imw-l_Zx1kC6QkV3oZaBjdaYg1hNA_4bqB22W0tbom7zONonZpegDKqfqL9JbIMQ2H7XLwQVQHLc_v5HK6txiGeVkHd7xd334UPAPcdQyNgezc48WBq8iftXzd4W1yypZvnZKJcE0oRhA=w1200


Japanese Kamisori are single sided - by that, I mean the are designed to be shaved only on one side, the other is completely flat, not ground and not honed. I've only had maybe 5 or 6 through my hands, all of which I honed and found the metal to be quite soft, responding to honing very easily.

mgjGtX8FffTjj4ObL4tyT8QBgGU7pv2RH6OI1RlfR-yygVuNU5VhRClqURs2ygSdnhWEwQy3kWNWZbOHLjPDqTQfUVA66GRRMf_jMKlMPXk5ONfbeXTowG7hh0CGayZXR26kMnIUS8rXf9bhTIiP6hdVOAzJF0AtAKl7-3HPwZAzS3Sx93Ofa5kv8ga8sEXOHAWoq9fh1poiHEvpwwCbBR6xGUgMg3ov2TpIh_ZXJt_iLd9T851pV7SNsShu4mJdyGv2ZVSivw0iA8NKV9WKE3g9-UtWajMX2ktCtJKgwe4rbTZnBw_gD95X5aXiOWwF7oyXeuXvt8VaokRI-uMXzeV4S8g50SmBimlEu3RpHJDs3SJUr6RtOA5PQLntcsSfKc0Q6LoCDvdnHDC1vzzz-ML5-Kfl9i2RyTj755Pr4K6R-bbzFZC52ittZNMQ8A26B_jj0X3tbaJoENSBgso13RfCARJeRUpgaw8OasdNbg_H9lX56JFmem9vtbtfF-VePDd2C-a0vzbwA0FpDkS9An6VURwzcM447hYIqT65PD86BIe2auia1rGhUr9OB16VxS0MCGTvUTWKO-VNpbQwtHb_1ZZEOTaj8V0vvD_AkkyqKlGoCoKNV0F_WiCoswz8TleHLkjVYkyI7sKibNRL-b4hKaIvqiRluyjsakHVUR-0uobjMw4jvp0eMzvfng=w800


I kept one which is not Japanese, but cut from a microtome which is a lab slicer - same deal, one flat side and one hollow ground and honed.

EAHbLDGIWERwtFovNjoHc0OeKBfZSmko4-vHbG05Zfl5J34a-AGgB8CNwVtxTqYPQtkTj9tcOaP7KCOOHcXeG_NLgBAHmoRpbgaeo_yFHJ6W3g5Ap5lxhWX8xJshITDnySaPHNxhi-TYkeXl5bdxeuf83GAp4xscs3P50V7oAkujOwG5SPEkLubOoi-9H7vWpyiKWzxqPs4-vPOSbFUcWSAnPKsZFpfFSkGVZYNQq7bh6Dyt--AZ4721T4baJGRZyR9fQtdU-wEU6RoERqg-LU5ndWRJJG-d_Nwb9aT-DtsUtc8iJPss6W7dPf8If_OWt0dfrdX1ZfTIlpEV-c3OphxLc7BSS8brZsYM09en8DY0YZFR9fyl6iiNF5AtM9Noen5UYvCd_w7zsvo1FBlGKf-rFb5b70C9-rOAQUDBlHphgHjfdyWlvScNzKIjnuls5ZeyYXkrjubAsmZ0hFiNkFUYo9T5fPRSsPz5u1gXYmt1Z5hasiPcJjfDVlKjPNH6mh1KugndUteO2gQTTbabw2R1Em9dIDAu4fm-yEngFhq_TJgrH9Is5L52GoLCip7B39eDgvEMc26dKdtQEwF_f7-200uLBeSOpemGT7Tt8PeDTJ7F6aztEbLEU9Fv7cSCmK1UqihXfGwdP2UkuP9Y8PYre5_vdRcI3l8bQoQJqpRl8JDFvr5yrTYQPBQMMQ=w1200


So, yes you hone them as per western straights but be aware they are not symmetrical grinds.

If you were curious, you could either:

Buy eBay and take your chances, trial and error with honing and/or that the blade is not just being sold because the grind has gone and it will no longer hone. OR, ask a known good seller/honer and get one ready to roll ... see if you like it.
Not quite accurate to say that one side is flat Paul - there has to be some degree of hollow grinding otherwise it would be almost impossible to hone that side. In fact, there is a tool for creating more of a hollow when the razor starts to suffer from hone wear.

Did you ever manage to get a shave out of the microtome? I seem to remember you having to get it re-honed at some stage.
 
Guys I really want to get a kamisori,

I've seen different styles of them, what's best to get? Or is it a matter of personal preference?
Go on to EBay - there’s a great big selection. As they are mainly in the US you will pay a five pounds extra for postage. There is one major seller there so why not tell him what you are looking for - shave ready at a reasonable price - and get his advice on what he has available.
 
Not quite accurate to say that one side is flat Paul - there has to be some degree of hollow grinding otherwise it would be almost impossible to hone that side. In fact, there is a tool for creating more of a hollow when the razor starts to suffer from hone wear.

Did you ever manage to get a shave out of the microtome? I seem to remember you having to get it re-honed at some stage.
I did ... I've had a number of shaves from it and enjoyed it. I do still have it. It's one of two straights that I retained, the other being a wedge that had the nose reshaped by Mike Waterhouse.
 
@pjgh @UKRob I shaved most my head with a shavette today got about one two nicks, so minor really

Anyways I don't know if it's just a sweet thought of being about to use kamisoris to shave my head regularly but I think I might just be daydreaming if I'm being honest and my bubble just burst today lol

What I mean is that I did about 70% of my head shave with the shavette but it got soooo frustrating as it just felt like it was taking forever, which was understandable as I had to take my time but I just got way too peed off and I ended up grabbing my fatip grande open comb safety razor to finish it off lol

Tbh if it was facial shaving it wouldn't even be an issue tbf
 
is there like a simple shortish length video on how to hone and maintain a kamisori razor and a straight?

I'd love to be able to use a kamisori as my main head shaver tbh just hope I'm not being a dreamer though
 
The videos I have seen on honing a kamisori vs a straight are 2 different processes. I haven’t personally heard of anyone who just learnt to shave their head with a straight razor..the odd ones who shave their head learn on there face and with time and experience you learn to shave by feel and that’s when you maybe move on to learning to use it on your head. I personally have only ever used one on my face I’m very confident working with straight and I would find it difficult to have a go at a head shave so as a novice I’d say it’s best to keep it well away from your head. Leave it to your discretion of course
 
Have you talked to this fellow @saj1985 ?

Presumably he could fit you up with something suitable, ensure it's shave ready and re-hone/maintain it for you as you go, or until you gain the materials and skills to maintain it yourself.
 
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