Toyo・东洋・Kamisori・Restored Vintage Straight Razor・ Kamisori Handmade Hinoki Wood Box

This Kamisori was hand forged out of 2 layers, the cutting part is made of high carbon steel. The supporting layer is made 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 traditional Rattan and three layers of Japanese Urushi Lacquer. A meticulous work that takes 1 day per layer. to apply and cure.

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.

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.

Engraved on the lid is an Ukiyo-e woodblock print of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi`s "Suffering from pain courtesan of the period" out of the series "32 feminine faces of everyday life" from 1888. The print shows an Geisha with the highest of ranks "Oiran" getting a tattoo. It was common that Geishas got the names of their highest valued customers as a secret tattoo.

Steel・鋼: Unknown High Carbon Steel
Jigane・地金: soft iron・極軟鉄
Handle Wrapping: Rattan and Urushi Lacquer
Box: Hinoki Wood

Length: 148 mm
Head width: 18 mm
Length of cutting edge: 41 mm
Weight: 29.5 g

A Medium sized Kamisori