Massive Henkotsu Kamisori, へんこつ, Hinoshita Kaizan Restored Vintage Japanese Straight Razor, Rattan-Silk Handle Wrapping and Handmade Hinoki Box

This Kamisori was hand forged out of 2 layers, the cutting part is made of high carbon steel and the supporting layer of Iron.
The steel layer is brittle and hard, while the Iron gives the right flexibility.
Both layers are not stainless, so always keep your razor dry after your shave and protect it with a thin layer of oil.

Why is this blade not stainless?
Stainless blades are made of an alloy that will prevent it from staining, but also will make it less hard.
High carbon steels, like the cutting layer of this Kamisori, have a much higher hardness and will keep their smooth shaving quality for much longer before having to sharpen them again.

The blade handle is partially blued by us, to protect it from rusting. Bluing is similar to the protective coat which the razor had after being quenched in the time it has been made. Bluing forms a thin layer of magnetite (Fe3O4) on top of the iron.
After Bluing we have attached a brand new Rattan handle wrapping with a Japanese silk fabric inlay. We use a traditional wrapping technique that is very common for Kamisori.

The Kanji read as:
日下開山・ hinoshita Kaizan ・an old sumo title.
登録商標 ・ toroku shohyo ・registered trademark
Below: へんこつ ・Henkotsu ・ the maker brand can be found. The こ (ko) looks a bit like an ホ(ho) but is just an old way of writing.
The Kanjis still have some remains of the old gold lacquer.

The blade comes wrapped in red linnen in a handmade box.
The box is handcrafted out of imported Japanese Hinoki wood. A wood that is used for centuries to build temples and shrines in Japan. Very durable, won't rot, great scent. We hand planed the wood for a better surface with traditional Japanese planes (Kanna).
Please also not that this box is a special size. This huge Kamisori would not fit in our normal boxes.

Great gift and perfect place to store and protect your Kamisori.

This Kamisori is fully disinfected, honed and shave ready.

Also note, in Japan Kamisori are not only used to remove mens beards, they are also commonly used to remove fine facial hair also of women.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this great Vintage Kamisori

The grand wrestling match between Kawazo Saburo Sukeyasu ( right ) and Matano Goro Kagehisa.
An Ukiyo-E Print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Steel・鋼: Unknown High Carbon Steel 不明
Jigane・地金: soft iron・極軟鉄
Handle Wrapping: Rattan and red Silk
Box: Hinoki Wood

Length: 17.2 cm
Head width: 2.4 cm
Length of cutting edge: 5.5 cm
Weight: 63.3 g

a big sized Kamisori