Kotobukiou・寿王・Vintage Japanese Straight Razor Kamisori with Black and White Silk Thread Handle Wrapping and Handmade Hinoki Wood Box

Kotobukiou・寿王・Vintage Japanese straight razor (Kamisori). Directly imported from Japan and restored by us to a hair-popping quality and sharpness.
The razor was made in the Showa period and has a length of 14.8 cm, width of 1.8 cm, length of cutting edge is 4.8 cm and the weight is 30.3 g
a medium sized. Kamisori, a bit on the heavier side.

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.
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 real black silk thread handle wrapping for a better grip, we use a traditional wrapping technique that is very common for Kamisori. The black silk has an underlying white silk layer.

The Kanji / Katakana read as:
寿王・Kotobukiou

The blade comes wrapped in red linnen in a handmade box.

The box is handcrafted out of real Japanese hinoki wood, a wood used over centuries for temples and shrines in Japan.
Engraved is an Ukiyo-e of 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
Perfect place to store and protect your Kamisori.

In addition we deliver the original packaging we got this Kamisori in.

This Kamisori is fully disinfected, honed and shave ready.
To protect the razor edge, the Kamisori will come with a blade guard free of charge.

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.

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