The Famous Iwasaki Kamisori

These are the best made Japanese kamisori you will find.

The Legendary Iwasaki Kamisori Made From Iwasaki Tamahagane ("Jewel-Steel" made by Master Kosuke Iwasaki)

The Iwasaki kamisori is hand forged from the steel which is traditionally made in Japan from iron sand; Tamahagane.
In a long ongoing process pure charcoal and iron sand are given into a specially made oven (tatara) layer after layer until the iron from the sand will remain in the ashes.
This "raw tamahagane" will be further processed (folded) and selected by hand until it is purified and ready for forging.
Usually this steel is only used for Japanese swords (Katana) because of its high purity and rare availability.
The father of Shigeyoshi Iwasaki, Tosuke Iwasaki develeoped his own process of producing Tamahagane.
Usual Tamahagane has a carbon content of only 0.8%. This was too low for Tosuke and it took him (together with other knife and razor makers) 10 years to find out how he can produce Tamahagane which is good enough for making razors.
The tatara process is still the same.

Unfortunately some equipment broke when they moved the forge to its current location and it is getting harder and harder each time to make Tamahagane again.

Due to this it is quite uncertain if Master Iwasaki will be able to make Tamahagane kamisori again next time. The Tamahagane used for these razors is from around 1970.
It takes a lot of experience to make good razors from this steel otherwise it will be warped and rippled after hardening. This steel is very delicate when it comes to forging and heat treatment.

This Iwasaki Tamahagane kamisori is very rare.
It is a collector's item and a rare speciallity which shaves just great; smooth and close. (Watch the video for this below.)

Data:

Carbon content: 1.25-1.35%
Hardness: 63-64 HRC (HV 820-840)
Length total: 175 mm
Length blade: 60 mm
Size: 6/8 (22 mm) (This razor shaves like a 7/8 western razor and it is very smooth and shaves very close.)
Weight: 54 gramm
Grind: Japanese - asymmetrical

Take your straight shaving experience to a new level and try this superb handforged 6/8 straight razor from Japan.
In order to produce this razor, two kind of steels have to be forged together by hand: A soft (Jigane) iron and a hard (Hagane) steel (Swedish steel).
After forging, the blank will be brought to its current form, has to be ground and polished and will get the marking.
The blade is semi-polished and the rest has a grey finish from the forging process.
It will be delivered in its original wooden box.

This razor will shave even the toughest of beards.

Data:

Steel: Swedish Steel (SK 2)
Carbon content: 1.15-1.25
Hardness: 63-64 HRC
Length total: 160 mm
Length blade: 49 mm
Size: ca. 6/8 (22 mm) / Japan: "Full size"
Weight: 43 gramm
Grind: Japanese - asymmetrical

You can strop and hone this razor like any straight razor.
A very fine companion is the Cordovan strop from Japan.

It is said that the straight razors from this forge are the best in Japan.
Barbers in Japan recommend them in highest regards.

Because of the great liking of the 6/8 we dared to let make a 5/8 too. It is a bit lighter and shorter and therefore easier to handle for some folks.
The handle has a nice "rattan" wrapping.
This kamisori shaves as perfect as its bigger brother and some shaving areas are easier to reach because of its shorter blade.
It will shave even the toughest of beards and became one of my favourites nearly over night.

Data:

Steel: Swedish Steel (SK 2)
Carbon content: 1.15-1.25
Hardness: 63-64 HRC
Length total: 150 mm
Length blade: 44 mm
Size: ca. 5/8 (20 mm) / Japan: "Half size"
Gewicht: 30 gramm
Grind: Japanese - asymmetrical