Rare Kiku Hidari・きくひだり・Tamahagane Kamisori・Restored Vintage Japanese Straight Razor・NOS New Old Stock・Sakura Handle・Handmade Hinoki Wood Box

Rare Kiku Hidari・きくひだり ・Tamahagane steel ・ 玉鋼・ straight razor (Kamisori) with a beautiful Sakura Handle. Directly imported from Japan and restored by us to a hair-popping quality and sharpness. With Specially made Hinoki Wood Box. This is a New Old Stock razor, never used before. Including the original box

The razor was made in the Showa period, approximately in the 1950s. It has a length of 14.7 cm, width of 2 cm, length of cutting edge of 4 cm and a weight of 44.6 g.
A medium sized Kamisori, slightly heavier in very good condition.

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. Wer did not attach a handle wrapping as this Sakura already Handle gives a perfect grip and is just to beautiful to be hidden.

The Kanji / Katakana on the Kamisori read as:

純玉鋼別打・Jun Tamahagane betsu uchi・made from pure Tamahagane
実雄作 ・Miyu saku or jitsu Yusaku ・work of art
特級 ・Tokkyu・special grade
登録商標・toroku shohyo・registered trademark
きくひだり・Kiku Hidari・the maker

The blade comes wrapped in white linnen in a Big Handmade Box made from the Japananese Hinoki tree. A wood used for centuries to build Japanese shrines and temples, very durable, a great scent and very rot resistant. The box has 2 more compartments to put in additional Kamisoris or other things.

Engraved on the lid is an Ukiyo-e woodblock print of Utagawa Kuniyoshi`s - Kangayu-saemon, holding a large bow, riddled with arrows, and enveloped by a dragon.

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.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding this wonderful Kamisori. We are happy to assist you.
We highly recommend to put a thin layer of protective oil after each use on your razor, after you wiped it dry. please have a look on our "Kamisori Care Oil" in our shop.

All our vintage Kamisori's will be shipped with a free blade protection sheet for free to avoid that the cutting edge will touch anything during the transport.