Kamisori

[Ah Pook]

I'm not a straight razor shaver but the simplicity of these blades has intrigued me for a while.

The kamisori or wa-kamisori are the traditional shaving razor of Japan. In a traditional kamisori the blade (hagane) is made of tamahagane or jewel steel. This is the same steel that was used to make katanas. The blade was attached to a softer iron body (jigane).

The history of this blade goes back to around 500ad. These may have started out as ceremonial pieces. First for shaving the heads of monks and later the heads of the samuria.

As for shaving, they are different from the western folding straight razors. The blade has a unique grind and is designed to use only one side against the face. Also, they are righty only.




Blade length is usually 2"-2 1/2".



Enjoy

[Ah Pook]