Seiko・ 成功・ Vintage Japanese Straight Razor ・ Kamisori with Paulownia Box

This blade was made of one layer of High Carbon Steel. Older Kamisoris normally were made of two layers of steel, one brittle and hard, the other soft and flexible.
This is a more modern approach of Kamisori making.

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, have a much higher hardness and will keep their smooth shaving quality for much longer before having to sharpen them again.

We removed the old handle and old stains and rust from it. Then blued it to prevent it from further rusting. we then attached a traditional rattan handle wrapping with natural japanese urushi lacquer.

The blade comes wrapped in an up-cycled vintage piece of a Japanese silk Kimono.
The box is handcrafted out of Paulownia wood in Japan.
It is almost airtight and a great place to store your Kamisori safely.

The 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.

from the series "Ten Types in the Physiognomic Study of Women (Fujin sogaku juttai) (Kiseru)" from around 1802-1903
An Ukiyo-E Print by Kitagawa Utamaro

Steel・鋼: Unknown High Carbon Steel
Handle Wrapping: Japanese Rattan, Urushi lacquer
Box: Paulownia Wood - Japan
Kamisori Wrapping: Japanese silk fabric

Length: 146 mm
Head width: 20 mm (6/8")
Length of cutting edge: 51 mm
Weight: 29,5 g

a medium sized Kamisori