NOS Henkotsu・へんこつ・Vintage Japanese Straight Razor Kamisori with Original Rattan Wrapping and Handmade Hinoki Wood 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 handles was in very good shape so we kept the original Rattan Handle Wrapping.

The Kanji / Katakana read as:
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 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 for constructing Japanese temples and shrines. A wood with a very fine scent. The wood is hand-planed by us with a Japanese plane, this gives it a pristine finish.
After we built the box we laser engraved a Japanese wood block print on the lid.
It shows an engraving of Kitagawa Utamaro's - Hairdresser "Kamiyui" - from the series 'Twelve types of women's handicraft "Fujin tewaza juniko" from around 1797/ 1798

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.

Hairdresser "Kamiyui" - from the series 'Twelve types of women's handicraft "Fujin tewaza juniko" from around 1797/ 1798
An Ukiyo-E Print by Kitagawa Utamaro

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

Length: 14.4 cm
Head width: 2 cm
Length of cutting edge: 3.9
Weight: 29 g

A medium sized Kamisori