07-05-2012, 07:46 AM
I've been using kamisori for a long time, and I like using them. I generally shave two-handed, and do so with the kamisori too, even though they're asymmetrical and are 'meant' to be used with only one hand*.
(* This is disputed, as several people have stated that they're used two-handed even in Japan. However, they seem to have been designed to be used by a barber for shaving other people, in which case only one side of the razor would be used.)
Here's a pic from my thread on honing kamisori, showing the asymmetric grind:
![[Image: Kamisorigrind.jpg]](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm128/yohannrjm/Kamisorigrind.jpg)
The razor is 'meant' to be used with just the 'wedge' side on the face.
Well, yesterday I shaved a bit later than usual, and I wasn't going anywhere, so I thought I'd give the 'one hand only' technique a chance.
I used my stainless steel Tosuke kamisori shown in the pics below. I have both razors, but I only used the larger one for this shave.
![[Image: tosuke1.jpg]](http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2034/tosuke1.jpg)
![[Image: tosuke2.jpg]](http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1817/tosuke2.jpg)
So I shaved the right side of my face pretty much as usual - WTG top-down. Normally I'd shave the left side of my face with my left hand, and also do it top-down, but since I was using my right hand on the left side of my face, this was not possible (or at least, it wasn't easy), so I shaved XTG instead (with my right hand).
A single pass and touch-ups later I was as closely shaved as I am after my usual 2-pass shave.
I can't say that this will become a habit with me, but it is nice to try something new every now and then.
(* This is disputed, as several people have stated that they're used two-handed even in Japan. However, they seem to have been designed to be used by a barber for shaving other people, in which case only one side of the razor would be used.)
Here's a pic from my thread on honing kamisori, showing the asymmetric grind:
![[Image: Kamisorigrind.jpg]](http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm128/yohannrjm/Kamisorigrind.jpg)
The razor is 'meant' to be used with just the 'wedge' side on the face.
Well, yesterday I shaved a bit later than usual, and I wasn't going anywhere, so I thought I'd give the 'one hand only' technique a chance.
I used my stainless steel Tosuke kamisori shown in the pics below. I have both razors, but I only used the larger one for this shave.
![[Image: tosuke1.jpg]](http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2034/tosuke1.jpg)
![[Image: tosuke2.jpg]](http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1817/tosuke2.jpg)
So I shaved the right side of my face pretty much as usual - WTG top-down. Normally I'd shave the left side of my face with my left hand, and also do it top-down, but since I was using my right hand on the left side of my face, this was not possible (or at least, it wasn't easy), so I shaved XTG instead (with my right hand).
A single pass and touch-ups later I was as closely shaved as I am after my usual 2-pass shave.
I can't say that this will become a habit with me, but it is nice to try something new every now and then.

07-11-2012, 09:02 AM
(07-11-2012, 07:43 AM)MileMarker60 Wrote: Great looking set!
I have found with a traditional kamisori, shaving with both sides isn't much of a problem. The key seems to be to treat each side like a different razor. By adjusting the angle for each grind/side, it goes pretty well
Yep, that's what I usually do. I just wanted to try a one-handed approach this one time. I wasn't going anywhere, so if the shave wasn't good, nobody would have noticed.
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)