Thread: First razor problems.

Thank you for the response. I'm now looking at either getting an original Le grelot or a new one by Thiers issard.

Welcome to straight shaving! TI's are great, but I have read the new carbon song steel can be a PITA to hone (YMMV I guess). Also, no one has asked this yet; are you planning to do your own honing? If so, then one razor should be good, if not, then I would look at two that will fit into a price range you are good with. I say this because if you only get one and don't do your own honing you will eventually have to send the razor to someone, and I don't know about turn around times with the post in your neck of the woods. Either way, enjoy whichever you go with, I think either razor would be great!

Think of learning to drive a car. Would you rather take your first lesson on a car with an automatic transmission or a manual? That sums it up. it takes more to learn the kamisori but in the end you learn it and that's it. Most buy one after using a western type so you have to relearn to use a straight all over again. Starting out with one you don't have that issue.

Also, it takes no more time to use a kamisori than a western type and though they are designed to be used with one side of the razor most probably use both sides. it will work.

I plan on doing my own honing. I'm going to buy a couple of stones and a cheap 20 quid razor from ebay and practice on that.

It seems like that everyone telling me not to buy a kamisori has never used one. I can't see why I shouldn't buy one, other than the one handed thing. The more I look at the TI the more I like it though.

I'm with thebigspendur here, get what you want now. If you decided to get a western style now or later you will have to learn technique either way. Besides, everyone here says I'm going to get my one razor for life : Many people said it's best not to get square points to start with; I did, and haven't gouged myself once; they are also my prefernce now. I too would love a kamisori eventually. Besides every razor has a bit of a learning curve to it: geometry, balance, feel, grind, yada yada yada

I have decided what I'm going to do. I'm going to buy a cheapish one of each style. NOS Kamisori razor shave ready - Straight Razor Place Classifieds is the kamisori I'm buying and will be buying best quality dovo as my western. When I decide which I like I will then spend more money...

or you could buy a cheap shave ready razor from this website for under $50 like i did, from people who know what shave ready actually means, learn how to shave and strop, and go from there. Generally only a couple of weeks delivery to NZ, so probably sooner for you.

Yeah, I can do but the amount of time I have spent talking to the guys over at theinvisableedge.com makes me want to spend money there. They have been so helpful and I like to support companies that are.

@fossala

I think you did your research and will be rewarded for it, I aslo think the same as TBS above, I love my Kamisori, but they feel just a tiny bit awkward in my Western Style trained hands.. I have manged to get quite proficient with them in a relatively short time, about 3 years compared, to 31 years with Western styles. I would bet if you start with them you will learn much faster then those of us that had to re-learn.. Please let us know how it goes, there is an excellent Vid by JimR on here that shows how to shave with them, he uses only one side which is the correct way to shave these, myself I cheat and use the back side too

Steve over at the Invisible Edge is a well known Vendor on here, and can put a wicked edge on razors, you can't really go wrong with anything from him...

Yes, I've seen the videos. I think I won't buy a western unless I find the kamisori too hard. Just looking forward to my first straight razor shave.

I'm going to email the seller again about size but it seems like it's a Henkotsu I'm going to ask what size it is.