Hanamasa 花正 Real Tamahagane Kamisori, Restored Vintage Japanese Straight Razor, Golden Kanji, Leather Handle Wrapping, Handmade Sugi Box

Hanamasa 花正 Tamahagane 玉鋼 Steel, japanese straight razor - Kamisori! Directly imported from Japan and restored by us to a hair-popping quality and sharpness. With huge fully engraved box and a brand new leather handle wrapping.

The razor was made in the Showa period (approximately pre 2nd Worldwar as the Kanjis used are old versions) and has a length of 15 cm, width of 1.7 cm, length of cutting edge is 4.5 cm and the weight is 27 g.
A medium sized kamisori.

Similar to the traditional Samurai sword, this Kamisori was hand forged out of 2 layers, the cutting part is made of high carbon steel and the supporting layer of Iron.

What is so special about this Kamisori is, that the steel is real Tamahagane.
Tamahagane is the traditional steel produced in Japan for centuries. As Japan has no big resources of iron ore, the steel is produced out of iron sand in a several day long process by hand. It was the main source for all Samurai Swords.

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, Especially this Tamahagane layer!

The Razor 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 the blueing we have attached a brand new leather wrapping with an underlying layer of red linnen.

The Kanji / Katakana on the Kamisori read as:
特級・Tokkyu - high grade
登録商標・touroku shohyo・registered trademark
花正・Hanamasa
特撰・ tokusen・specially selected
on the right side:
玉鋼別打・ Tamahagane betsu uchi = specially made Tamahagane
実雄作・Jitsuo-saku・work of art

All Kanji are painted with golden lacquer.

The blade comes wrapped in red linnen in a Handmade Box made from the Japananese Sugi Tree (cryptomeria japonica)
The box is handcrafted and has place for 2 more Kamisori or small things you would like to store with this awesome Kamisori. Despite the reddish look of Sugi wood it also has an awesome scent.

Engraved on the lid is an Ukiyo-e woodblock print of Utagawa Kuniyoshi`s - "Nozarashi Gosuke", from the series "Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion" from 1845.
Nozarashi Gosuke is said to be a "Robin Hood" of his era..

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.

To ensure that you will get the razor shave ready we use our own specially made protective Kamisori sheaths. The razor edge will not touch anything during the transport.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding this wonderful Kamisori. We are happy to assist you.