Let’s not beat around the bush, all right? I think we all know that the usual razors that you can find in the market tend to be pretty bad, and regardless of how many new-fangled features they place in them, they hardly do a good job.
Not only do they cut your hair at a bad angle and barely manage to get all of it, but they also leave your skin feeling red, irritated, sensitive, and painful. They also require constant replacement, which can take a toll on your pocket over time.
It seems like there’s no winning, right? Well, there might finally be a solution to it all. A razor that manages to deliver a smooth, even shave, and reach the hardest nooks and crannies, without leaving your skin feeling bumps, red and irritated, the Japanese straight razor.
Read our review and thoughts below, and find out why we think Japanese straight razors are superior.
What Are Japanese Razors?
Unlike the usual western cartridge razor, which has multiple flat blades placed at an angle, Japanese razors, which are also known as Kamisori razors, have a rounded rectangular blade that has a concave-edged blade. It is much thicker than any other type of razor out there. It also has a rustic and traditional design, which is unique to this type of razor and you cannot find it anywhere else.
What Is The Difference Between Japanese and Western Straight Razors?
When people actually hear about Japanese razors, they tend to think that Japanese straight razors and Western straight razors are the same. However, just at the first glance, it is clear that they’re not the same at all. Here is how they’re different.
- Blade Size: First off, Japanese Kamisori razors are small but thick, and tend to be front-weighted. Its one-of-a-kind design allows you to shave even the hard-to-reach places with ease. It is also conducive for detail-oriented work, which is why it is easy to spot this tool in most barber shops. On the other hand, western straight razors tend to be much thinner and lighter and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. So while the smaller ones can do detailed work, they won’t be able to handle tough shaving and vice versa.
- Handle Design: Another key point of difference between the two types of razors is their handle design. Kamisori razors have a traditional design, so the handle, which has an average length and flat-like, is wrapped in either straw or bamboo. Meanwhile, western straight razors tend to have a longer handle, which is usually plastic. This tends to be much easier for people to use, and more convenient as well.
- Customization (Using Your Dominant Hand): You have to take Western straight razors as they come. There is no customization or choice at all, and so using Western razors can often be an inconvenience if you are left-handed. You just have to learn to use it as best as possible and adjust the position of the tool according to what suits you best. On the other hand, Japanese Kamisori razors allow for customization and they have razors that are suited for either right-handed or left-handed people. This makes shaving much easier and ensures that you can shave to the best of your capabilities
However, over time, such differences have become blurred as models that combine the Kamisori design with certain features of western straight razors, to create modernized Japanese razors that are a pleasure to use. One such model is the Feather Artist Club Kamisori, which effortlessly brings the best of both worlds together.
Why Should You Use A Japanese Razor?
Some of you might be thinking that we’re just hyping up the Japanese straight razor for no reason, but that’s quite the contrary. This tool really is a revolutionary piece of equipment, which if used right, can be amazing for you. But here, we’ll let you figure it out yourselves, while we list down the reasons why you should use a Kamisori razor.
- Ease of Use: Like we already talked about above, Japanese straight razors are created to be either left or right-handed. So you no longer have to struggle with having to angle the razor a certain way to get a decent shave, which is often the case with most other mass-market razors. On top of that, the weighted design of the razor also makes it better to grip and glide it over your skin, and the risks of accidentally cutting yourself are also lesser since you have a better grip, which cannot be said for flimsier, cartridge razors.
- Meticulous Shave: Japanese straight razor also helps deliver close, meticulous shaves and allows you to reach even the tiniest nooks and crannies of your face and body. When you’re using a cartridge razor, the flat, multi-blade design can prevent you from reaching corners and sensitive areas, which can be frustrating, to say the least. Trying to do so also leaves behind tons of cuts and nicks. However, the Kamisori makes it easier to give a delicate, detailed shave.
- Unparalleled Sharpness: Another feature of the Kamisori razor is that it has a sharpness that is unparalleled, and cannot be found in any commonly used shaving instrument. The Japanese are known for their blades, whether it’s in knives or katanas, and the same thing goes for their razors as well. Their one-of-a-kind sharpness is one of the main reasons why they manage to give you such an excellent shave. Even modern designed Kamisori razors like the Feather Artist Club Kamisori offer great sharpness that cannot be replicated.
Things To Keep In Mind Before Buying A Japanese Razor
Before you go ahead and start using a Japanese razor for yourself, it is important to keep some things in mind. Doing so will help ensure that you have a good shave, and you are aware of what changes you might have to bring into your shaving routine to include such a shaving tool.
- The first thing to know before you buy a Japanese Kamisori razor is that using that tool requires practice. Because of its unique make and design, it will take you some time to get used to the feel of the tool and get a handle on how you should use it. One thing that most people struggle with is adjusting to the weight. However, within a few weeks of use, it’ll become second nature so make sure that you practice well.
- Another crucial thing to remember is that Japanese razors are incredibly sharp like we’ve already stated above. So it is crucial that you are as safe as possible because one slip or a wrong stroke can result in a serious injury. In the first few days, make sure that you go slow and shave with slow, long strokes that are comfortable and do not exert your arm.
- If you have really coarse, thick hair, then such razors may not work out for you as they are smaller, and may not manage to cut your hair off as smoothly as possible. However, you can still use it for grooming and detailing work. The best idea here would be to use a larger straight razor, or a cartridge razor to cut off the coarser, thicker hair and then going in with a Kamisori razor to trim and fix the rough edges and add the finishing touches.
