Thread: Iwasaki western in the house

Today got my Iwasaki Tamahagane Western, never honed with few spots that will clean up easy. Hardness should be between 65 and 67 HC.
The kanji on the back means batch 1676, razor #3 from the batch, tamahagane. Scales are in perfect condition.
I have been wanting Tamahagane Westen Iwasaki for a long time, but prices of those if one can find one are just crazy. I patiently waited for one to surface, and all of a sudden three NOS razors were posted at an auction. I put my sniper bid in with little hope I'll win as it was a major low ball, but lo and behold I got it, a true steal of a deal.


Second is Iwasaki Western in his modified Swedish Steel also NOS never honed.
Both blades are Hollow ground.
I am really happy with the acquisition of those two, they are extremely rare razors to come by especially in NOS condition.

Enjoy guys.

So can we expect to see at least one in the classifieds some time soon?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

So can we expect to see at least one in the classifieds some time soon?

not a chance

Originally Posted by mainaman

not a chance

Never say never Beautifull blades ,congrats on getting them.

Very nice! Thought I was done with buying razors for now, but this whets the appetite...

Beautiful razors! I've been wanting one myself (it doesn't matter wich one, both are great), but the hardness rating makes me wonder about the quality of the shave, the smoothness to be exact. I have a c135 TI and also a custom razor from very hard steel and they are hard to hone and the shaves they provide are quite harsh. The smoothest edges are of a Sheffield steel razors that are much softer (57-58 HRC).
So, how do the Iwasakis shave and hone, because I think he might overhardened them (which works fine on kamisoris but nos so well on western razors)?

Very nice I've seen a few lately on a well known auction site and I don't mean ebay, the starting price was high but not that high for those razors.

Originally Posted by Jock

Beautiful razors! I've been wanting one myself (it doesn't matter wich one, both are great), but the hardness rating makes me wonder about the quality of the shave, the smoothness to be exact. I have a c135 TI and also a custom razor from very hard steel and they are hard to hone and the shaves they provide are quite harsh. The smoothest edges are of a Sheffield steel razors that are much softer (57-58 HRC).
So, how do the Iwasakis shave and hone, because I think he might overhardened them (which works fine on kamisoris but nos so well on western razors)?

The Iwasakis shave like a dream. Honing is not bad at all, but it takes a bit more time compared to typical carbon steel razor.
One of the razors here is Swedish steel, they are not that hard and also shave exceptionally well.

Thank you!

I like a lot of different kinds of straight razors, but these razors are exceptionally beautiful in their simplicity and heritage. All other things being equal (as if that is possible), I kind of doubt that someone would be able to perceive hardness in a razors edge while shaving. What exactly are they saying: that softer steel gets dull more quickly thus making a more comfortable shave? That hard steels stay too sharp? Anyway, thanks again for posting the pics (your excitement shows in the fact that you posted the pics before cleaning up the tang) I don't blame you, I would be going from door to door shouting, I got 'em, I got 'em!